A comparative study of serum soluble vascular cell adhesion molecule-1(svcam-1) and intercellular adhesion molecule-1(icam-1) in normal pregnant adhesion molecule-1(icam-1) in normal pregnancy

Abstract

Introduction: Endothelial dysfunction is thought to be a central pathogenic feature in preeclampsia on the basis of elevated adhesion molecules. Soluble forms of these molecules can be detected in plasma, and their concentrations are thought to reflect the degree of activation of a particular cell type. The aim of the present study was to compare the levels of soluble vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (sVCAM-1) and soluble intercellular adhesion molecule-1(s ICAM-1) in sera of normal and preeclamptic pregnancies. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted to determine the plasma concentrations of SVCAM-1in peripheral blood obtained from normal pregnant women (n = 40), mild preeclampsia (n = 37) and severe preeclampsia (n = 38). Concentrations of soluble adhesion molecules were determined with enzymelinked immunoassay (ELISA). Results: Serum concentrations of sVCAM-1 and sICAM-1 were significantly higher in severe preeclampsia (p < 0.05) than mild preeclampsia. There was no difference in the mean plasma log sVCAM-1 and s ICAM-1between normal pregnant women and mild pre-eclamptic women. Conclusion: These results suggest soluble vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 and soluble intercellular adhesion molecule-1 are increased in severe preeclampsia, and sVCAM-1 and s ICAM-1 may be useful in predicting the severity of preeclampsia.