Abstract
To evaluate levels of protein C and free protein S among women with pre-eclampsia, and determine whether there is a relationship between deficiencies and pre-eclampsia. A cross-sectional study was conducted at a hospital in Nigeria from July 2013 to March 2014 among 90 pregnant women with pre-eclampsia (blood pressure ≥140/90mmHg, proteinuria ≥300mg in 24hours) and 90 normotensive pregnant women (control group). Plasma levels of protein C and free protein S were analyzed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, and protein C activity by a chromogenic method. Mean protein C antigen and activity levels did not differ between groups (P=0.639 and P=0.444, respectively). The incidence of protein C antigen and activity deficiency also did not differ (P=0.288 and P>0.99, respectively). The mean free protein S antigen level was higher among women with pre-eclampsia (54.48%±19.58%) than in the control group (47.23%±10.27%; P=0.004). No woman in the control group had protein S deficiency, as compared with 2 (2%) of the women with pre-eclampsia (P=0.497). No association was found between deficiencies of these proteins and pre-eclampsia. Deficiencies of protein C and free protein S are unlikely to be etiopathogenetic for pre-eclampsia; therefore, therapeutic intervention should focus on other potential pathogenetic pathways.
Published Version
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