Association of angiogenesis related biomarkers plgf sflt 1 and ratio of sflt 1 plgf with preeclampsia in second and third trimester of pregnancy

Abstract

Preeclampsia (PE), a pregnancy induced hypertensive disorder remains one of the leading public health threat affecting approximately 8-10% of all pregnancies in developing countries. Various recent studies have highlighted the role of various serum angiogenic biomarkers like anti angiogenic regulatory factor sFlt-1 and proangiogenic factor PLGF in screening, early prediction, diagnosis, and management of Preeclampsia. The aim of the study was to determine association of angiogenesis related biomarkers PLGF, sFlt-1and ratio of sFlt-1/PLGF with preeclampsia in second and third trimester of pregnancy.The present prospective cohort study was conducted in the Department of Biochemistry in collaboration with Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, SGRDIMSR, SGRDUHS, between October 2018 2021. Total 140 study participants were enrolled during second trimester (24-28 weeks) and were divided into 2 groups. In Group1 normotensive pregnant women (n=72) and in Group 2 preeclamptic pregnant women (n=68) were recruited in the study. Study participants were followed up in third trimester (beyond 28 weeks). At enrolment in second trimester and during third trimester (beyond 28 weeks) serum PLGF, sFlt-1 concentrations were measured. When compared with normotensive group PLGF levels were significantly lower (p less than 0.001) in preeclamptic group both in second and third trimester of pregnancy. The angiogenic imbalance reflected by the ratio of sFlt-1/PLGF levels was also found to be significantly higher (plt 0.001) in both second and third trimesters of preeclampsia. PLGF, sFlt-1 and the ratio of sFlt-1/PLGF may be used as biomarkers for early prediction, diagnosis and management of preeclampsia. They might serve as ideal discriminating biochemical markers of Preeclampsia. In the near future the clinical utility of these disease specific angiogenic biomarkers in early detection of preeclampsia might improve health outcomes by preventing adverse maternal and neonatal outcomes and serious complications.