RESUMEN
OBJECTIVE: To investigate the alterations of maternal antepartum and postpartum plasma levels of sE-selectin and VE-cadherin in normotensive pregnant women, women with preeclampsia (PE), gestational hypertension (GH), and gestational proteinuria (GP). METHODS: A total of 37 pregnant women were included in the present study; 12 with PE, 10 with GH, 5 with GP, and 10 controls. sE-selectin and VE-cadherin levels were assessed in maternal plasma at three periods; before delivery, 3-6 days after delivery, and 12-14 weeks postpartum. RESULTS: Women with severe preeclampsia (SPE) and GP had significantly higher plasma sE-selectin levels as compared to controls in all three periods of sampling. In the GH group, sE-selectin levels did not differ from controls. During the study, even after 12 weeks postpartum, the plasma sE-selectin levels remained unchanged in all preeclamptic groups (PE, GH, and GP). There was no difference in VE-cadherin levels between women with preeclampsia (PE, GH, and GP) and normal pregnancies. CONCLUSIONS: We found no changes in VE-cadherin levels in preeclamptic groups. Increased antepartum and postpartum levels of sE-selectin in women with SPE and GP suggest that endothelial dysfunction may be one of the key processes in the pathogenesis of PE and the underlying mechanism, as well, that links PE with cardiovascular disease in later life. GP, also, appears to be a mild variant of PE.
