Soluble angiotensin IV receptor levels in preeclampsia: is there a variation?

Abstract

Objective To measure the concentration of plasma soluble angiotensin IV receptor (sAT-4), a component of the renin-angiotensin system in healthy normotensive pregnancies and preeclampsia. Study design Stored maternal plasma samples obtained at the time of diagnosis from pregnant women of African ancestry were stratified into normotensive and preeclampsia groups. Preeclampsia was subdivided into early-onset, late-onset, and into and severe preeclampsia. Plasma concentrations of sAT-4 were measured at 450 nm using the ELISA technique (LNPEP KIT). Results The systolic and diastolic blood pressure (BP) levels of the normotensive group were statistically lower compared to preeclampsia groups (p < .05) and the mean gestational age in early-onset preeclampsia was lower compared to late-onset preeclampsia and the normotensive group (p < .05). Plasma sAT-4 levels were significantly elevated (p < .0001) in the normotensive group (median 1.95, range 1.89–2.02 ng/ml) compared to the preeclampsia group (median 1.55, range 1.42–1.74 ng/ml), regardless of gestational age. Soluble AT-4 was decreased in relation to the severity of preeclampsia (p < .001), the level in preeclampsia without severe features (median 1.57, range 1.42–1.74 ng/ml) was significantly higher than in preeclampsia with severe features (median 1.51, range 1.42–1.55 ng/ml). There was no significant difference in the sAT-4 level between early-onset preeclampsia (1.60 ± 0.13 ng/ml) and late-onset preeclampsia (1.65 ± 0.29 ng/ml) groups (p = .59). Conclusion Plasma circulating levels of sAT-4 in women with severe features of preeclampsia had lower levels than normotensives and those with preeclampsia without severe features.