RESUMEN
Aim: To investigate the level of vascular endothelial growth factor [VEGF] and soluble adhesion molecules; vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 [sVCAM-1] and lntercellular adhesion molecule-1 [slCAM-1] in pregnancies complicated by pre-eclampsia
Subjects and Methods: Serum levels of VEGF. sVCAM-1. and sICAM-1 were measured in pregnant women with pre-eclampsia at gestational age between 28-40 weeks and these levels were compared with those of normotensive pregnant women using enzyme-linked immunosorbant assay [ELISA]
Results: Serum levels of VEGF and sVCAM-1 were significantly higher in pre-eclamptic pregnant women [p=0.035] and [p=0.04] respectively, when compared with normotensive pregnant women, matched for gestational age. While sICAM-1 level was slightly elevated [p= 0.07] in preeclamptic pregnancy when compared with normotensive one
Conclusion: Being potent regulator of vascular permeability and endothelial cell iunction, VEGF is believed to play an important role in the development of generalized cell dysfunction and increased vascular permeability in preeclampsia. Moreover, sVCAM-1 may be considered as possible marker of endothelial cell activation, which may be of pathophysiologic significance in the mechanism of pre-eclampsia development
RESUMEN
The diversity of the clotting abnormalities in liver diseases proves the importance of normal liver for maintenance of normal haemostasis. This study was designed to estimate the plasma levels of the vitamin- K dependent coagulation factors II, VII, IX, X and the coagulant inhibitor protein C in patients with compensated liver cirrhosis. Thirty seven patients with Child's grade A liver cirrhosis, selected from the admittes of the Tropical Medicine Department, El-Minia University Hospital and 23 matched healthy controls were recruited in the study. Each patient and control was subjected to complete clinical history and examination, abdominal ultrasonography, complete blood picture, routine liver function tests and hepatitis markers [HBSAg and HCV Abies]. The plasma was separated for estimation of the prothrombin [PT], partial thromboplastin time [PTT]; coagulation factors and protein C assay [using Asserachrom protein C kits] .It was found that the mean plasma levels of factor II, X and protein C significantly decreased in patients with liver cirrhosis than controls. The mean plasma levels of factor VII and IX were less in patients than controls but the differences were not statistically significant. There was a significant negative correlation between the prothrombin time and factor II, X and protein C, while the correlations with the other factors tested were insignificant. No significant correlation was found between the PTT and all the tested coagulation factors and protein C. In addition, a significant positive correlation was found between the platelets count and factor II, VII, IX. It can be concluded that the coagulation factors II and X are significantly affected early in compensated liver cirrhosis. The levels of these factors correlated significantly with the convention coagulation screening test e.g PT. The decreased level of the anticoagulant protein C probably reflects decreased hepatic synthetic function rather than thrombotic tendency