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. 2013 May;62(2):322-6.
doi: 10.1016/j.cyto.2013.02.019. Epub 2013 Mar 29.

Serum levels of the adipokine fibroblast growth factor-21 are increased in preeclampsia

Holger Stepan  1 , Karoline Kley, Janka Hindricks, Susan Kralisch, Alexander Jank, Wiebke Schaarschmidt, Susanne Schrey, Thomas Ebert, Ulrike Lössner, Jürgen Kratzsch, Matthias Blüher, Michael Stumvoll, Judit Richter, Mathias Fasshauer
Affiliations

Serum levels of the adipokine fibroblast growth factor-21 are increased in preeclampsia

Holger Stepan et al. Cytokine. 2013 May.

Abstract

Background: Preeclampsia (PE) is a serious cardiovascular complication in pregnancy, which is associated with an increased future metabolic and cardiovascular risk for mother and newborn. Fibroblast growth factor (FGF)-21 was recently introduced as a novel adipokine improving glucose metabolism in vitro and in vivo.

Material and methods: We investigated serum FGF-21 levels in patients with PE (n=51) as compared to healthy, age-matched controls (n=51) during and 6 months after pregnancy. Furthermore, association of FGF-21 with markers of renal function, glucose and lipid metabolism, as well as inflammation, was elucidated in all individuals.

Results: Median maternal FGF-21 serum concentrations adjusted for body mass index and gestational age at blood sampling were significantly, almost 3-fold increased in PE patients (309.6 ng/l) as compared to healthy, age-matched pregnant women (105.2 ng/l) (p<0.001). Furthermore, FGF-21 concentrations were independently and positively correlated with triglycerides whereas an independent and negative association was observed with glomerular filtration rate and low density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol in pregnant women. Moreover, FGF-21 serum levels significantly decreased in former PE patients 6 months after pregnancy approaching levels found in control patients.

Conclusions: Maternal FGF-21 serum concentrations are significantly increased in PE during pregnancy. Furthermore, triglycerides, glomerular filtration rate, and LDL cholesterol are independent predictors of circulating FGF-21 in pregnant women.

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