Korean J Obstet Gynecol.  2005 Jan;48(1):29-35.

Correlation of Serum Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor and Matrix Metalloproteinase-2 in Patients Complicated with Preeclampsia and Normotensive Pregnant Women

• Lee KJ
• Oh MJ
• Kim HJ
• Kim SH
• Lee JK
• Hur JY
• Saw HS
• Park YK

Abstract

OBJECTIVE
The aim of this study is to evaluate whether serum levels of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and matrix metalloproteinase-2 (MMP-2) are different between normotensive pregnant women and preeclampsia patients and also to investigate the relationship of VEGF and MMP-2.
METHODS
We analyzed the serum levels of VEGF and MMP-2 in patients with preeclampsia (n=20) and normotensive pregnant women (n=20).
RESULTS
Of the normotensive pregnant and preeclampsia women, the serum VEGF levels are 0.28 +/- 0.14 ng/mL 2.39 +/- 0.75 ng/mL, the serum MMP-2 levels are 11.81 +/- 1.75 ng/mL, 31.99 +/- 6.5 ng/mL respectively. These serum levels are higher in preeclampsia patients than normotensive pregnant women (P<0.001) The serum VEGF levels positively relate with plasma MMP-2 levels in preeclampsia (P<0.05, r=0.78).
CONCLUSION
The serum VEGF levels highly correlate with the increased MMP-2 levels in preeclampsia, which may contribute the pathophysiology of preeclampsia.

Keyword

Vascular endothelial growth factor; Matrix metalloproteinase-2; Preeclampsia

MeSH Terms

Female
Humans
Matrix Metalloproteinase 2*
Plasma
Pre-Eclampsia*
Pregnant Women*
Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A*
Matrix Metalloproteinase 2
Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A