Acta Medica Iranica (Apr 2009)
Serum Level of Vascular Cell Adhesion Molecule-1 (sVCAM-1) in Sera
Abstract
Endothelial dysfunction is thought to be a central pathogenic feature in preeclampsia on the basis of elevated adhesion molecules. Soluble forms of these molecules can be detected in plasma, and their concentrations are thought to reflect the degree of activation of a particular cell type. The aim of the present study was to compare the levels of soluble vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (sVCAM-1) in sera of normal and preeclamptic pregnancies. A cross-sectional study was conducted to determine the plasma concentrations of sVCAM-1 in peripheral blood obtained from normal pregnant women (n=40), mild preeclampsia (n=37) and severe preeclampsia (n=38). Concentrations of soluble adhesion molecule was determined with enzyme-linked immunosorbant assay (ELISA). Serum concentration of sVCAM-1 was significantly higher in severe preeclampsia (P<0.05) than normal pregnancy. There was also significant differences in sVCAM- 1 levels between mild and severe preeclampsia (P<0.05). There was no difference in the mean plasma log sVCAM-1between normal pregnant women and mild pre-eclamptic women. These results suggest soluble vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 are increased in severe preeclampsia, and sVCAM-1may be useful in predicting the se-verity of preeclampsia.
