Determining Visfatin / NAMPT Serum Levels by ELISA Technique, in Pregant Women with Preeclampsia

Preeclampsia is a syndrome that affects approximately 2-8% of all pregnancies [1] and is closely linked to a particularly elevated inflammatory response, its presence resulting in high maternal and neonatal mortality. Several adipokins have been found to be involved in this process. Visfatin is a cytokine that exerts its effects especially on metabolism and immunity. In this study we determined the serum profile of Visfatin using the ELISA technique, to the 40 patients diagnosed with preeclampsia and we compared it to 16 pregnant patients without complications. Patients with preeclampsia had lower, but statistically not significant plasma levels compared to those in the control group, 11.04 +/- 7.14 (3.57-17.97) vs 8.88 +/- 7.91 (1.37-17.85). The lowest Visfatin levels have been recorded in the most severe form of preeclampsia. Visfatin does not significantly influence the birth weight of the foetuses (p = 0.08).