Association of Maternal and Cord Blood IGF-I with Leptin Levels in Preeclampsia

Preeclampsia is a leading cause of maternal and neonatal mortality and morbidity and the cause of preeclampsia is still not clear. IGF is an important mediator of both placental and fetal development. Also, leptin has been measured in the fetal circulation and plasma leptin may also originate from a range of fetal and placental tissues. The present study was designed to analyze IGF-I and leptin levels in maternal and cord blood of women with preeclampsia and to assess its relationship with outcome of pregnancy. Twenty five normotensive pregnant women and 25 age- and gestation- matched preeclamptic women were selected. Routine investigations and serum IGF-I and leptin levels were analyzed in maternal and cord blood by Elisa kit based on the sandwich principle. Serum IGF-I levels of preeclamptics were significantly decreased as compared to normotensive mothers (p=0.000). Serum leptin levels were significantly higher in preeclamptics as compared to normotensive pregnant women. Maternal IGF- 1 had a strong inverse correlation with leptin levels in preeclamptics (r=-0.528, p=0.007). Positive correlation was seen between normotensive mother IGF-1 and leptin levels (r=0.226, p=0.278). Findings of present study suggest that IGF-I and leptin are associated with rise in blood pressure in preeclampsia. Mechanisms responsible for this change and role played by IGF-I and leptin in the development of preeclampsia require further study.