CONCENTRATIONS OF APOLIPOPROTEINS E, C₂ AND C₃ AND LIPID PROFILE IN PREECLAMPSIA

Abstract

Objective: Preeclampsia is associated with an abnormal lipid profile and high apolipoprotein E (Apo E) levels. Apo E may favor lipid uptake by macrophages and is thought to increase triglycerides clearance. However, high Apo E levels may interfere with lipolysis by interacting with the lipoprotein lipase (LPL) activator, apolipoprotein C₂ (Apo C₂). LPL activity may also be impaired by high levels of the LPL inhibitor apolipoprotein C₃ (Apo C₃). Therefore, lipid profile depends on the balance between the opposing effects of Apo C₂ and Apo C₃ and on interference due to Apo E. We investigated the involvement of these three lipoproteins in lipid disorders associated with preeclampsia. Methods: Blood samples were taken from 25 normotensive and 24 preeclamptic pregnant women after a 12-hr fasting period. These samples were analyzed for standard lipid profile and Apo E, C₂, C₃ concentrations. Results: Concentrations of triglycerides, total cholesterol, LDL, HDL, and LDL cholesterol did not differ significantly between preeclamptic women and pregnant controls. Apo C₂ concentration and Apo E/Apo C₂ ratio did not differ between the two groups of women but Apo C₃ and Apo E concentrations were higher in preeclamptic than in pregnant controls. The ratio of triglycerides to Apo E was similar in the two groups of women. In both groups, triglycerides levels were positively correlated with Apo E (p=0.0429), Apo C₂ (p=0.0045) and Apo C₃ (p=0.0004) concentrations, but not with Apo E/Apo C₂ ratio (p=0.760). Conclusions: In preeclamptic women, the increase in Apo E concentration may not increase triglycerides clearance because LPL activity seems to be inhibited by high Apo C₃ concentration.

• Apolipoproteins
• Preeclampsia