Frontiers in Physiology (Apr 2019)

Plasma Heme Scavengers Alpha-1-Microglobulin and Hemopexin as Biomarkers in High-Risk Pregnancies

  • Grigorios Kalapotharakos,
  • Grigorios Kalapotharakos,
  • Katja Murtoniemi,
  • Katja Murtoniemi,
  • Bo Åkerström,
  • Esa Hämäläinen,
  • Esa Hämäläinen,
  • Eero Kajantie,
  • Eero Kajantie,
  • Eero Kajantie,
  • Katri Räikkönen,
  • Pia Villa,
  • Hannele Laivuori,
  • Hannele Laivuori,
  • Hannele Laivuori,
  • Hannele Laivuori,
  • Stefan R. Hansson,
  • Stefan R. Hansson

DOI
https://doi.org/10.3389/fphys.2019.00300
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 10

Abstract

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Women with established preeclampsia (PE) have increased plasma concentration of free fetal hemoglobin. We measured two hemoglobin scavenger system proteins, hemopexin (Hpx) and alpha-1-microglobulin (A1M) in maternal plasma using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay during the late second trimester of pregnancy in women with high and low risk of developing PE. In total 142 women were included in nested case-control study: 42 women diagnosed with PE and 100 controls (49 randomly selected high-risk and 51 low-risk controls). The concentration of plasma A1M in high-risk controls was higher compared to low-risk controls. Women with severe PE had higher plasma A1M levels compared to women with non-severe PE. In conclusion, the concentration of plasma A1M is increased in the late second trimester in high-risk controls, suggesting activation of endogenous protective system against oxidative stress.

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