Abstract
The aim of the study was to investigate genetic and biochemical background of PAPP-A (pregnancy-associated plasma protein A) in patients with risk pregnancies. Five PAPP-A gene polymorphisms and PAPP-A maternal serum levels were studied in together 165 women in third trimester pregnancies complicated with threatening preterm labour (n=98), preeclampsia (n=35), intrauterine growth restriction (n=34) and ICP (intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy) (n=15). 114 healthy pregnant women served as controls.
Preeclamptic patients had significantly higher frequency of TT genotype of Cys327Cys polymorphism compared to controls (p<0.01). Patients with ICP had increased serum levels of PAPP-A compared to controls and correlation analysis showed significant relationship between PAPP-A and CRP (C-reactive protein) in the patients with intrauterine growth restriction (r=0.49, p= 0.007).Our study indicates the association of TT genotype of Cys327Cys polymorphism of the PAPP-A gene with preeclampsia.
However, further study with larger groups of preeclamptic patients is needed to confirm our results.