Abstract
Preeclampsia is a health concern and it is the main cause of maternal and perinatal mortality. The macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF) and insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I) are factors associated with preeclampsia. A case-control (45 women in each arm) study was conducted at Saad Abualila Maternity Hospital (Khartoum, Sudan). The cases were of women who had preeclampsia, and the controls were healthy pregnant women. The clinical and obstetrical characteristics were gathered using a questionnaire and MIF and IGF-I levels were measured by ELISA. The cases and the controls (45 in each arm) were matched in their basic data. In comparison with the healthy controls, while the median (interquartile range) of the maternal MIF [8.221 (7.334-8.820) vs. 3.717 (2.385-4.883) ng/mL, p < .001] was significantly higher, the levels of the maternal IGF-1 [1.250 (0.670-1.980) vs. 1.939 (1.056-2.752), ng/mL, p < .001] were significantly lower in the women with preeclampsia. There was no significant difference in the cord levels of both the MIF and IGF-1 between the cases and controls. In linear regression, preeclampsia was the only factor that was significantly associated with the log of the maternal MIF (−0.338 ng/mL, p < .001), IGF-1 (0.293 ng/mL, p = .005) and cord MIF (−0.340 ng/mL, p < .001) levels.
Impact statement
What is already known on this subject? Macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF) has a pivotal role in pro-inflammatory processes during pregnancy/labour and its levels have been correlated with preeclampsia. Insulin like factors are produced in the liver under the stimulation of the growth hormones; they stimulate cell differentiation proliferations. IGF-I may be implicated in the pathogenesis of the adverse effects of preeclampsia (mainly the birth weight).
What do the results of this study add? The current study showed a significantly higher level of MIF and lower level IGF-1 in the women with preeclampsia. Thus, both MIF and IGF-1 might have a role in the pathogeneses of preeclampsia.
What are the implications of these findings for clinical practice and/or further research? MIF and IGF might be used as reliable markers to detect preeclampsia. These markers might be used as preventive or therapeutic elements for preeclampsia.