Serum humanin concentrations in women with pre-eclampsia compared to women with uncomplicated pregnancies

Purpose: To compare serum humanin concentrations in pregnant women with and without pre-eclampsia (PE).

Materials and methods: A case-control study where pregnant women (PE group, n = 37; control group, n = 34) studied through history parameters (gynecological, obstetrical, personal, and family), physical and sonographic examination parameters [body mass index (BMI), blood pressure obstetrical ultrasound], and biochemical/hormonal assays [creatinine, urea, serum glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase (SGOT), serum glutamic pyruvic transaminase (SGPT), uric acid, platelets, urinary protein, and humanin].

Results: There was no difference in basic characteristics between women with PE and control, except in parity and gravidity. Humanin concentrations were higher in women with PE compared to controls (422.2 ± 33.5 vs. 319.1 ± 28.1 pg/ml, p = 0.023). In a binary logistic analysis, humanin was associated with the presence of PE [odds ratio 1.003, 95% confidence interval (CI); 1.000-1.006]. The ability of humanin to discriminate between women with PE and controls was evaluated by receiver operation characteristics (ROC) analysis [area under the curve (AUC) 0.639, 95% CI; 0.510-0.768, p = 0.045].

Conclusions: Serum humanin concentrations are increased in women with PE, compared to women with uncomplicated pregnancies, suggesting a potential protective role of humanin against the oxidative stress and endothelial dysfunction occurring in PE.