Relationship between alterations of soluble endoglin in maternal serum and pathogenesis of patients with preeclampsia

Objective: To detect serum levels of soluble endoglin(sEng) during different periods in normal pregnancy and patients with preeclampsia and evaluate its role in the pathogenesis of preeclampsia.Methods: Women were enrolled in following groups:healthy pregnant control(n = 43) and preeclampsia patients,which contained mild preeclampsia(n = 31),severe preeclampsia(n = 26).The serum sEng levels were measured by enzyme linked immunoassay(ELISA).Results: The concentration of sEng in control group during 12～16,20～24,28～32 and 37～41 weeks were(7.7 ± 1.5),(8.2 ± 1.6),(9.3 ± 1.7) and(11.4 ± 2.6) ng/ml,respectively.They were(7.8 ± 1.5),(9.4 ± 1.8),(14.2 ± 2.9),(21.1 ± 3.7) ng/ml in mild preeclampsia group,and(7.9 ± 1.6),(12.5 ± 2.8),(25.2 ± 3.9),(33.6 ± 4.5) ng/ml in severe preeclampsia group,respectively.The levels of maternal plasma sEng were significantly higher in the preeclamptic women than in normal controls during the latter three periods(P 0.01) except for the first period.Conclusion: Alterations in the levels of sEng in maternal serum were associated with the occurrence and development of preeclampsia.