Antepartum and Postpartum Serum Heme Oxygenase-1 Levels in Preeclamptic and Normotensive Pregnant Women

Aim: To determine antepartum and postpartum serum heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) levels in pre-eclamptic (PE) and normotensive pregnant women and to investigate the relationship between HO-1 levels and severity of PE. Patients and Methods: Ten normotensive women were compared to 9 women with mild PE and 12 women with severe PE. Serum HO-1 levels were measured at 30-34 gestational weeks and 12-14 weeks postpartum. Results: The severe PE group had significantly higher serum HO-1 levels antepartum compared to the mild PE and normotensive groups (5.50 +/- 1.54 vs. 3.04 +/- 0.72 ng/ml, p=0.0003, and 5.50 +/- 1.54 vs. 3.12 +/- 1.57 ng/ml, p=0.002, respectively). Serum HO-1 levels decreased significantly postpartum in the normotensive group only (3.12 1.57 vs. 2.00 +/- 0.97 ng/ml, p=0.0005). In the severe PE group, HO-1 levels antepartum were positively correlated to mean blood pressure (r=+0.79. p=0.004). Conclusion: Severe PE is associated with elevated serum HO-1 levels both antepartum and postpartum. suggesting a key role of chronic oxidative stress in the pathogenesis of PE and the endothelial dysfunction of these patients later in their life.