Lipoprotein [a] levels in normal pregnancy and in pregnancy complicated by pre-eclampsia

ABSTRACT

A high concentration of lipoprotein [a] is associated with atherosclerotic disease. Atheroma may develop in spiral arteries in both preeclamptic and normal pregnancies but they are much more common in preeclampsia. The aim of this work was to study the association between lipoprotein [a] [LP [a]] and the development of preeclampsia and its severity. The study included 35 patients with preeclampsia [15 cases with mild preeclampsia and 20 cases with severe preeclampsia] who were admitted to Kasr El- Eini and El- Menofiya University Hospitals, from September 1999 to September 2000. In addition, 20 normal pregnant women attending Kasr EI-Eini and EI-Menofiya University outpatient clinics served as control. Every woman was subjected to full history taking and clinical examination. Serum cholesterol, triglycerides, high density lipoprotein [HDLc] and low density lipoprotein [LDLc] were determined for each individual. Lipoprotein [a] was determined by immunoturbidometery. A highly significant increase in serum concentration of Lp [a] was found in preeclamptic patients [both mild and severe] in comparison with controls [p < 0.01 and <0.001 respectively]. There was a positive correlation between LP [a] and diastolic blood pressure and proteinuria [p< 0.05]. Furthermore, multiple logistic regression analysis revealed that LP [a] was the best predictor along with proteinuria for the severity of preeclampsia. LP [a] is increased in preeclampsia suggesting its role in the pathogenesis of the disease. Also it can be used as a predictor for the severity of the disease