Aim:
To investigate the level of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and soluble adhesion molecules; vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (sVCAM-1) and Intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (slCAM-1) in pregnancies complicated by pre-ec!ampsta.
SUBJECTS AND METHODS
Serum levels of VEGF, sVCAM-1. and sICAM-1 were measured in preg­nant women with pre-eclampsia at gestational age between 28-40 weeks and these levels were compared with those of normotensive pregnant women using enzyme-linked immuno-sorbant assay (ELISA).
RESULTS
Serum   levels   of   VEGF   and
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sVCAM-1 were significantly higher in pre-eclamptic pregnant women (p=0.035) and (p=0.04) respectively, when compared with normotensive pregnant women, matched for gesta­tional age. While sICAM-1 level was slightly elevated (p= 0.07} in pre-eclamptic pregnancy when compared with normotensive one.
CONCLUSION
Being potent regulator of vascular permeability and endothelial cell function, VEGF is believed to play an important role in the development of generalized cell dysfunction and in­creased vascular permeability in pre-eclampsia. Moreover, sVCAM-1 may be considered as possible marker of endothelial cell activation, which may be of pathophysiologic significance in the mechanism of pre-eclampsia de­velopment.