Expression and Significance of Retinol Binding Protein 4 in Serum and Placenta Tissue of Pregnant Patents With Preeclampsia

Abstract

Objective To analyze the expression of retinol binding protein (RBP)4 in serum and placenta tissue and the relationship among serum RBP4 levels and insulin resistance (IR) in pregnant women with preeclampsia (PE) in order to discuss the role of RBP4 in the pathogenesis of PE. Methods Serum RBP4 levels were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) in 28 cases of gestational hypertension (group A), 30 cases of mild PE (group B), and 34 cases of severe PE (group C), and 32 cases of normal pregnant women (group D) from December 2011 to December 2012. IR was estimated using the homeostatic model assessment-insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) index. The expression of RBP4 in placenta were detected by Western blot. The study protocol was approved by the Ethical Review Board of Investigation in Human Being of No. 202 People's Liberation Army Hospital. Informed consent was obtained from all participates. Results ① FPG, HOMA-IR index and serum RBP4 levels in group C were higher than those of other three groups, with significant differences (P<0.05). Fasting insulin (FINS) levels in group B, C were higher than that in group A, D, with significant differences (P<0.05). ② Expression level of RBP4 in the placenta tissue of group C was the highest and expression level of RBP4 in the placenta tissue of group B was higher than that in group D, with significant differences (P<0.05). ③ Positive correlation were shown between serum RBP4 levels and FPG, HOMA-IR index, expression levels of RBP4 protein in the placenta (r=0.277, 0.315, 0.379; P=0.025, 0.010, 0.002). Conclusions Increased RBP4 level may be involved in the pathogenesis of preeclampsia by enhanced IR. Key words: retinol binding protein 4; preeclampsia; insulin resistance