Placenta Growth Factor and Soluble Fms-Like Tyrosine Kinase 1 in Preeclampsia and Normotensive Pregnant Nigerian Women

Abidoye Gbadegesin,Joy O Agbara,Madinah A Azeez,Adekunle A Sobande,Kabiru A Rabiu

doi:10.4236/ojog.2021.116070

Abstract

Background: Preeclampsia (PE) is still one of the leading causes of maternal/perinatal morbidity/mortality in Nigeria. Imbalance between placenta growth factor (PLGF) and soluble fms-like tyrosine kinase 1 (sFlt1) has been reportedly present both before and after the manifestation of PE; however, Nigerian data regarding these angiogenesis-related substances are lacking. We here attempted to determine the maternal serum level of PLGF and sFlt1 and sFlt1/PLGF ratio in PE vs. non-PE women in Lagos State University Teaching Hospital, Nigeria. Methods: An observational cross-sectional study was made on 75 women with PE and 75 age-gestational-age matched women without PE, as case and control, respectively. Levels of sFlt-1, PIGF and the sFlt-1: PIGF ratio was compared between the two. Results: Serum levels of Flt-1 and sFlt1/PIGF ratio were significantly higher in PE patients (6581.86 ± 865.75, and 146.42 ± 92.43) than in the normotensive control (4584.52 ± 1479.6 and 11.60 ± 6.42). PIGF was significantly lower in PE patients (70.14 ± 51.03) than the normotensives (494.06 ± 475.8). There were positive and negative correlations between the sFlt-1 and PLGF respectively and mean arterial blood pressure. Conclusion: Serum sFlt-1, sFlt1/PIGF ratio was significantly higher and PIGF levels were significantly lower in PE than normotensive control in Nigerian population.

Highlights

Preeclampsia (PE) is still one of the leading causes of maternal/perinatal morbidity/mortality in Nigeria
It is currently believed that the imbalance of pro-angiogenic factors and anti-angiogenic factors is one of the pathogenesis of PE, as it can affect the remodeling of uterine spiral arteries and angiogenesis [5]
Maternal serum Soluble Fms-Like Tyrosine Kinase 1 (sFlt-1) was significantly higher in PE (6581.86 ± 865.75 pg/ml) compared with normotensive (4584.50 ± 147.96 pg/ml) pregnancies, p value = 0.0000

Summary

Introduction

Preeclampsia (PE) is still one of the leading causes of maternal/perinatal morbidity/mortality in Nigeria. Results: Serum levels of Flt-1 and sFlt1/PIGF ratio were significantly higher in PE patients (6581.86 ± 865.75, and 146.42 ± 92.43) than in the normotensive control (4584.52 ± 1479.6 and 11.60 ± 6.42). Conclusion: Serum sFlt-1, sFlt1/PIGF ratio was significantly higher and PIGF levels were significantly lower in PE than normotensive control in Nigerian population. Defective remodeling of the spiral arteries causing hypoperfusion and systemic dysfunction and a subsequent imbalance of circulating proangiogenic and antiangiogenic factors are considered to be one of the possible aetiology for this disorder [1] [2] [3]. It is currently believed that the imbalance of pro-angiogenic factors and anti-angiogenic factors is one of the pathogenesis of PE, as it can affect the remodeling of uterine spiral arteries and angiogenesis [5]. The proangiogenic proteins vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and placental growth factor (PIGF) are involved in the regulation of placental vascular development and maternal endothelial function during pregnancy [6] [7]

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Results