Chemerin levels and metabolic disturbances in obese cases with preeclampsia

Background: Chemerin, an adipokine, may regulate metabolism during pregnancy.The objective of this study was to measure the maternal serum chemerin levels in obese & normal weight cases during normal pregnancy as well as in preeclampsia.Study design: This was a cross sectional study at Mansoura University Hospital, Egypt, including the following groups:-60 cases with non-severe preeclampsia (group 1: obese & group 2: normal weight).-60 cases with severe preeclampsia (group 3: obese & group 4: normal weight).-30 normal pregnant women (group 5: normal weight).Serum chemerin concentrations were assayed with an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).Statistical analysis was performed by using Statistical Package for Social scientists (SPSS).Results: In cases with preeclampsia, the serum chemerin levels were found to be significantly higher as compared with the normotensive pregnant women.In cases with severe preeclampsia, the serum chemerin levels were significantly higher as compared with the levels in cases with non-severe preeclampsia (p <0.0001).The serum cholesterol, triglycerides & LDL levels were significantly increased in cases with preeclampsia as compared with control group women (p=0.0002),but HDL was significantly decreased (p <0.0001).Conclusion: It is concluded that serum maternal chemerin levels were significantly increased in cases with preeclampsia as compared with the normotensive pregnant women.Chemerin may play an unclear etio-pathological role in the disease either due to direct vasoconstriction of blood vessels or due to limitation of trophoblastic invasion of spiral arteries.