Abstract
Background: Although, the exact pathophysiology of preeclampsia is unknown, activation of monocytes and macrophages (monocyte/macrophage activation) is suggested to have a role in the immunopathology of preeclampsia. Soluble CD163 (sCD163) is considered a specific marker of monocyte/macrophage activation. Nonetheless, investigations addressing sCD163 in cases preeclamptic women are needed.
Objectives: To investigate maternal and umbilical cord levels of sCD163 in women with preeclampsia.
Materials and Methods: A case - control study was conducted at the labour ward of Qassim Maternity Hospital, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia during the period of March-September 2015. Forty five cases of preeclamptic women and an equal number of healthy pregnant women were controls. Obstetrics and medical history was gathered using questionnaire. sCD163 levels were measured using ELISA.
Results: The two groups (45 in each arm of the study) were matched in their age and parity. Thirty-three of the 45 cases were patients with severe preeclampsia. The median (interquartile) levels of both maternal [32.70(18.9 - 47.0) vs. 52.5(33.7 - 74.8)ng/ml, P = 0.001] and cord [12.30(10.9 - 23.10) vs. 52.4(20.80 - 63.0) ng/ml, P < 0.001] sCD163 were significantly lower in the preeclamptic cases compared to the controls. There was a significant direct correlation between the maternal and umbilical cord level of sCD163. Both maternal and umbilical cord sCD163 levels were inversely correlated with birth weight.
Conclusion: The current study showed significantly lower maternal and cord sCD163 levels in women with preeclampsia as compared to controls. Moreover, there was a significant direct correlation between the maternal and umbilical cord level of sCD163 on one hand and birth weight on the other.