Adipsin as a marker of preeclampsia in a Ghanaian community

Abstract

Abstract Background: This study was aimed at determining the levels of serum adipsin and lipids during the first trimester in pregnant women and to evaluate the relationship between these biochemical markers and preeclampsia (PE). Available data suggest that changes in the levels of adipsin is linked to the development of PE hence this study examined the potential of using this biomarker and adiposity in the prediction of the disease. Methods: This was a prospective case-control study which examined first trimester serum adipsin lipids and anthropometric parameters in pregnant women who later developed PE and those who did not. Urine protein and blood pressure were determined after 20th week of pregnancy and the values used to diagnose PE using the guidelines of the American Heart Association. Results: There were significant differences (p < 0.05) in the body mass index (BMI), coronary risk, lipids and adipsin between the PE group and the normotensive group. Analyses of risk factors for PE revealed that family history of hypertension, overweight, and history of cesarean operation are strong predictors of the disease. Conclusion: Our results suggest that adipsin may be involved in pregnancy related metabolic changes and these changes could be linked to the pathophysiology of PE.