Assessment of endothelial dysfunction in pregnant women with obesity and preeclampsia

Abstract

The aim: To assess the values of endothelial vascular growth factor (VEGF) in blood serum and circulating endothelial microparticles CD32+CD40+ in the peripheral blood of pregnant women depending on the severity of obesity and presence of preeclampsia. Materials and methods: the study included 122 pregnant women divided into groups in accordance with their height and weight parameters and presence of preeclampsia. We studied the serum VEGF concentration by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, carried out the count of CD32+CD40+ circulating endothelial microparticles in the peripheral blood by using flow cytometry. Results: It has been found out the serum VEGF concentration in pregnant women with obesity decreases with rising level of obesity and the preeclampsia manifestation. In contrast to the decrease in this marker, there is an increase in the number of circulating endothelial microparticles CD32+CD40+ in the peripheral blood of pregnant women with obesity and preeclampsia. This pattern of these indicators points out the presence of endothelial dysfunction, which may contribute to occurrence of preeclampsia in pregnant women with concomitant obesity. Conclusions: The indicators of VEGF concentration and the count of circulating endothelial microparticles CD32+CD40+ in the blood serum can serve as reliable markers for evaluating the severity of endothelial dysfunction in pregnant women with concomitant obesity and preeclampsia.