Aspirin protects against preeclampsia via p38MAPK signaling pathway

Purpose: To investigate the protective effect of aspirin against preeclampsia and the involvement of p38MAPK signaling pathway in the process. Methods: Sixty pregnant women who underwent antenatal care and delivery at Chancheng Central Hospital from September 2020 to September 2022 were selected and equally assigned to control group (CG) and experimental group (EG). From the 12th week of gestation, EG was administered 100 mg of aspirin and 1000 mg of calcium carbonate daily, while CG was given only 1000 mg of calcium carbonate daily. Both groups were treated up to the 35th week of gestation. Thereafter, blood samples were taken for measurement of serum levels of p38MAPK. In addition, the blood pressure of the women was measured. The incidence of preeclampsia and maternal-infant outcomes were assessed. Results: EG had a lower p38MAPK level at week 35 of pregnancy, and lower blood pressure levels at the 27th and 35th weeks of gestation, than CG (p < 0.05). There were 5 cases of preeclampsia (16.7 %) in EG, and 13 cases (43.3 %) of preeclampsia in CG, with a lower incidence of preeclampsia in EG than in CG (chi(2) = 5.079, p < 0.05). The numbers of newborns through premature delivery and cesarean section, as well as Apgar score <= 7 were lower in EG than in CG (p < 0.05). Conclusion: Aspirin exerts a protective effect against preeclampsia through via p38MAPK signaling pathway. Therefore, aspirin treatment may be useful in reducing the incidence of preeclampsia and improving maternal-infant outcomes. However, further clinical trials are recommended prior to application in clinical practice.