Serum adiponectin, leptin and soluble leptin receptor in pre-eclampsia.

OBJECTIVES: To delineate the changes in serum levels of adiponectin, leptin and soluble leptin receptor, and in the free leptin index in women with pre-eclampsia. METHODS: Blood samples were collected from 38 pregnant women with pre-eclampsia and 42 normotensive pregnant women as controls. Serum concentrations of adiponectin, leptin and soluble leptin receptor were determined by enzyme-link immunosorbent assay and the free leptin index was calculated as the ratio of serum leptin to soluble leptin receptor for each sample. RESULTS: No significant differences were observed between the groups regarding maternal age, gestational age and body mass index. Women with pre-eclampsia had significantly higher levels of serum adiponectin and leptin, and a higher free leptin index than controls (P<0.01, P<0.001 and P<0.001, respectively). There were no significant differences between the two groups in serum levels of soluble leptin receptor (P>0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The study demonstrated elevated serum levels of adiponectin and leptin as well as a higher free leptin index in women with pre-eclampsia, suggesting these as important factors contributing to this complication of pregnancy.