The Activity of sICAM-1 and sVCAM-1 in Plasma of Preeclamptic Mother and Neonatal Cord Blood

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: Current concepts of preeclampsia have been focused on dysfunction of the maternal vascular endothelium, a central pathogenetic feature of the disease. But it is uncertain whether maternal preeclampsia has a harmful effect on fetal or neonatal vascular endothelium. In this study, plasma levels of endothelial adhesion molecules in preeclamptic mother and cord blood were determined to delineate vascular effects of preeclampsia on neonates. METHOD: Quantitative determinations of sICAM-1 and sVCAM-1 were measured from plasma of preeclamptic mother and neonatal cord blood in pairs according to gestational age and was compared to nonpreeclamptic control groups. RESULTS: Plasma ICAM-1 level was significantly higher in the maternal groups compared to corresponding cord groups (P<0.001). Preeclamptic maternal groups showed significantly higher sICAM-1 level compared to control maternal groups (P<0.001) and preterm maternal groups showed higher levels than term maternal groups (P<0.001). The level of sICAM-1 was significantly elevated in preeclamptic preterm cord groups than other cord groups (P<0.001). In respect to plasma sVCAM-1 level, higher value was observed in the preeclamptic preterm cord groups than preeclamptic preterm maternal groups. CONCLUSIONS: Elevation of the plasma sICAM-1 level caused by factors including vascular endotherial damage in preeclamptic mothers was observed in their neonates but with much lesser degree than their mothers. Factors associated with preterm labor other than maternal preeclampsia may seem to influence vascular endothelial injury in the cord blood.