Circulating angiogenic factors in smokers and non-smokers during normal pregnancy

Abstract

Smoking is associated with reduced risk of preeclampsia and gestational hypertension. Both conditions are usually preceded by establishment of a circulating anti-angiogenic state, with increases in the anti-angiogenic proteins, sFlt1 and soluble endoglin (sE), and decreases in the pro-angiogenic protein, placental growth factor (PlGF). We postulated that smoking protects against preeclampsia and gestational hypertension through effects on circulating angiogenic factors. To test this hypothesis, we compared serum concentrations of sFlt1, sE, and free PlGF in smokers and non-smokers during normal pregnancy.