CORRELATION BETWEEN FMS-LIKE TYROSINE KINASE-1 (SFLT-1) CELL-FREE MESSENGER RNA EXPRESSION AND FMS-LIKE TYROSINE KINASE-1 (SFLT-1) PROTEIN LEVEL IN SEVERE PREECLAMPSIA AND NORMAL PREGNANCY

Abstract

Objective: To analyze sFlt-1 and sFlt-1 mRNA levels in severe preeclampsia and normal pregnancy, and the correlation between both in occurrence of severe preeclampsia. Methods: This is a cross-sectional analytic observational study involving 18 subjects with severe preeclampsia and 19 subjects with normal pregnancy as controls who met inclusion and exclusion criteria. Levels of sFlt-1 and sFlt-1 mRNA were measured with ELISA and RT PCR. Statistical analysis was performed with Chi square test, Fisher’s exact test, T-test, Mann-Whitney test, and Spearman’s rank correlation test. Results: This study showed no significant difference (p>0.05) in the characteristics of maternal age, gestational age, and parity in both study groups. Mean level of sFlt-1 mRNA in severe preeclampsia was higher (6.3404 pg/mL) compared to its level in normal pregnancy (5.9701 pg/mL). There was an insignificant (p>0.05) positive correlation between sFlt-1 mRNA and sFlt-1 levels in normal pregnancy, and an insignificant (p>0.05) negative correlation between both levels in severe preeclampsia. Conclusions: sFlt-1 mRNA levels in severe preeclampsia are higher than its level in normal pregnancy. There is no correlation between sFlt-1 mRNA level and sFLt-1 protein level in severe preeclampsia. There is an insignificant positive correlation between sFlt-1 mRNA and sFlt-1 levels in normal pregnancy, and an insignificant negative correlation between both levels in severe preeclampsia.

Keywords

• Normal pregnancy
• severe preeclampsia
• sFlt-1 mRNA