Correlation of Serum Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor and Matrix Metalloproteinase-2 in Patients Complicated with Preeclampsia and Normotensive Pregnant Women / 대한산부인과학회지

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study is to evaluate whether serum levels of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and matrix metalloproteinase-2 (MMP-2) are different between normotensive pregnant women and preeclampsia patients and also to investigate the relationship of VEGF and MMP-2. METHODS: We analyzed the serum levels of VEGF and MMP-2 in patients with preeclampsia (n=20) and normotensive pregnant women (n=20). RESULTS: Of the normotensive pregnant and preeclampsia women, the serum VEGF levels are 0.28 +/- 0.14 ng/mL 2.39 +/- 0.75 ng/mL, the serum MMP-2 levels are 11.81 +/- 1.75 ng/mL, 31.99 +/- 6.5 ng/mL respectively. These serum levels are higher in preeclampsia patients than normotensive pregnant women (P<0.001) The serum VEGF levels positively relate with plasma MMP-2 levels in preeclampsia (P<0.05, r=0.78). CONCLUSION: The serum VEGF levels highly correlate with the increased MMP-2 levels in preeclampsia, which may contribute the pathophysiology of preeclampsia.