Expressions of irisin and urotensin II and their relationships with blood pressure in patients with preeclampsia

ABSTRACT

The aims of this study are to observe irisin and urotensin II (UII) levels in serum and placenta in normal pregnant and preeclamptic women and investigate the relationship between expressions irisin and UII, and their association with blood pressure. A total of 67 pregnant subjects were recruited, including 31 healthy and 36 preeclamptic pregnant women. Serum irisin and UII concentrations were measured. Expressions of fibronectin type III domain-containing protein 5 (FNDC5) (irisin precursor) and UII in placenta specimens were performed. There was no significant difference of serum irisin levels between severe preeclamptic (SPE)) patients, mild preeclamptic (MPE) patients and normal controls, while serum UII was significantly higher in preeclamptic women than normal pregnancy. There was no relationship between serum UII and irisin levels. In patients with preeclampsia, serum irisin was negatively associated with systolic and diastolic blood pressure(r = −0.350, P = 0.004, r = −0.307, P = 0.011), while serum UII was positively associated with systolic blood pressure (r = 0.291, P = 0.031). Serum irisin, UII, urinary protein level, BMI and serum creatinine were the independent determinants of blood pressure in preeclampsia by multiple regression analysis. Protein expression of FNDC5 and UII was upregulated in placenta of patients with SPE and positively correlated with systolic blood pressure and urinary protein level. We firstly verify that serum irisin and placental irisin precursor expressions have differently correlated with blood pressure. Expressions of irisin and urotensin II have relationships with blood pressure in patients with preeclampsia

KEYWORDS:

• Blood pressure
• irisin
• placenta
• preeclampsia
• pregnancy
• urotensin II

Acknowledgments

This study was supported by National Natural Science Foundation (Grant No. 81170706, Grant No 81341022, and Grant No 81570663) to Ai-Hua Zhang. Major diseases of funding of Beijing Municipal Science & technology commission (No.SCW 2009-8) to Ai-Hua Zhang.

Conflict Of Interest

The authors report no conflict of interest. The authors alone are responsible for the content and writing of this paper.