Background: Copeptin is a peptide secreted from the hypothalamus, with the arginine vasopressin (AVP). Also, as copeptin is excreted by the kidneys and is stable in plasma, it can be used as a biomarker for AVP secretion. Aim: This study was conducted to evaluate the role of serum copeptin in the diagnosis of kidney injury in pregnant females with preeclampsia.
Methods: This study included a total of 60 women; 20 pregnant with preeclampsia, 20 with normal pregnancy, and 20 healthy non-pregnant control. The following investigations had been made; HbA1C, blood urea, serum creatinine, serum uric acid, creatinine clearance, glomerular filtration rate (GFR), urinary protein, urinary sodium (Na), liver function tests, and serum copeptin levels were measured by an enzyme-linked immunoassay (ELISA).
Results: Serum copeptin levels in pg/ml mean±SD were significantly higher in preeclampsia (3778.5±265.45) than in normal pregnancy (1452.9±397.81), and non-pregnant control (253.88±294.6) (p < 0.05) (S). Serum copeptin showed a positive correlation with the blood pressure, HbA1C, serum creatinine, uric acid, bilirubin, ALT and AST, urinary Na, blood urea, and urinary proteins (p < 0.05) (S), and a negative correlation with the GFR and creatinine clearance (p < 0.05) (S). Receiver Operating Characteristic (ROC) curve for serum copeptin as a marker for kidney injury in preeclampsia; at a cutoff point 3100 pg/ml, showed 95.0% sensitivity, 85.0% specificity (p < 0.05) (S).
Conclusion: Serum copeptin can be used as a marker for the diagnosis of kidney injury in preeclampsia, with high sensitivity and specificity.