Kivonat:
Background: It has been previously reported that plasma
osteopontin (OPN) concentrations are increased in cardiovascular
disorders. The goal of the present study was to determine plasma
OPN concentrations in healthy pregnant women and preeclamptic
patients, and to investigate their relationship to the clinical
characteristics of the study subjects and to markers of
inflammation [C-reactive protein (CRP)], endothelial activation
[von Willebrand factor antigen (VWF: Ag)] or endothelial injury
(fibronectin), oxidative stress [malondialdehyde (MDA)] and
trophoblast debris (cell-free fetal DNA). Methods: Forty-four
patients with preeclampsia and 44 healthy pregnant women matched
for age and gestational age were involved in this case-control
study. Plasma OPN concentrations were measured with ELISA. Serum
CRP concentrations were determined with an autoanalyzer using
the manufacturer's reagents. Plasma VWF: Ag was quantified by
ELISA, while plasma fibronectin concentrations were measured by
nephelometry. Plasma MDA concentrations were estimated by the
thiobarbituric acid-based colorimetric assay. The amount of
cell-free fetal DNA in maternal plasma was determined by
quantitative real-time PCR analysis of the sex-determining
region Y (SRY) gene. For statistical analyses, non-parametric
methods were applied. Results: Serum levels of CRP, as well as
plasma concentrations of VWF: Ag, fibronectin, MDA and cell-free
fetal DNA were significantly higher in preeclamptic patients
than in healthy pregnant women. There was no significant
difference in plasma OPN concentrations between controls and the
preeclamptic group. However, preeclamptic patients with plasma
fibronectin concentrations in the upper quartile had
significantly higher plasma OPN concentrations than those below
the 75th percentile, as well as healthy pregnant women [median
(interquartile range): 9.38 (8.10-11.99) vs. 7.54 (6.31-9.40)
and 7.40 (6.51-8.80) ng/mL, respectively, p < 0.05 for both].
Furthermore, in preeclamptic patients, plasma OPN concentrations
showed a significant positive linear association with plasma
fibronectin (Spearman R = 0.38, standardized regression
coefficient (beta) = 0.41, p < 0.05 for both). Conclusions:
Plasma OPN concentrations are increased in preeclamptic patients
with extensive endothelial injury. However, further studies are
warranted to explore the relationship between OPN and
endothelial damage. Clin Chem Lab Med 2010;48: 181-7.