Objectives: Human paraoxonase-1 (PON-1) is thought to play a role in preeclampsia and atherosclerosis, mainly through a reduction in low-density lipoprotein oxidation. Oxidized low-density lipoprotein (LDL) is very important in endothelial dysfunction of preeclampsia. The aim of the present study was to investigate the association between PON1 gene polymorphism and preeclampsia and to determine concentrations of serum lipid in preeclampsia patients. We aimed also to evaluate serum oxidized LDL levels in normal and preeclampsia patients.
Study design: We performed the present study in 57 control women and 32 preeclampsia patients. PON-1 genotypes were determined by polymerase chain reaction amplification and restriction fragment length polymorphism. Serum triglyceride, cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels were measured. We also measured serum levels of oxidized LDL by ELISA method.
Results: There was no significant difference in PON1 genotype frequencies between the control and preeclampsia patients. The levels of serum cholesterol and high-density lipoprotein were significantly lower in preeclampsia patients compared with that of the control women (p=0.05, and p<0.01, respectively). The serum levels of oxidized LDL in preeclampsia patients were significantly higher than those in the control women (p=0.001).
Conclusions: These findings support the importance of the atherogenic lipid profile and oxidized LDL that is enhanced in preeclampsia, and these findings may be significant contributors to endothelial dysfunction.