Urinary protein carbonyl levels and its correlation with protein misfolding in preeclampsia.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the association of protein carbonylation with preeclampsia and its correlation with urinary protein misfolding. METHOD: Protein carbonyl and misfolded protein levels were measured in the midstream urine sample (58 preeclamptic and 44 normotensive pregnancy) by ELISA and Congo Red Dot assay respectively. RESULTS: Significant difference was observed in the levels of protein carbonyls (P = 0.002) and misfolded proteins (P = 0.001). Correlation between protein carbonyl and misfolded proteins levels was significant but weak (r = 0.3; P = 0.018). CONCLUSION: Urinary protein carbonyl level is elevated in preeclampsia but plays a minor role in proteins misfolding.