Human Serum PCSK9 Is Elevated at Parturition in Comparison to Nonpregnant Subjects While Serum PCSK9 from Umbilical Cord Blood is Lower Compared to Maternal Blood

Background. Serum lipids including total cholesterol (TC), triglycerides (TG), and low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) are increased in pregnancy. Serum proprotein convertase subtilisin kexin 9 (PCSK9) is a significant player in lipoprotein metabolism. Circulating PCSK9 downregulates the LDL receptor on the surface of the liver, inhibiting clearance of LDL-C. Therefore, our study assessed serum PCSK9 concentrations at parturition (Maternal) compared to a nonpregnant (Control) cohort, as well as between mother and newborn (Maternal and Newborn). Methods. Blood was collected from women at parturition and from umbilical cords. Serum lipids and PCSK9 were measured and data were analysed for significance by Mann-Whitney U test at P<0.05 and presented as median levels. Spearman's correlations were made at a 95% confidence interval. Results. Serum PCSK9 was significantly higher in Maternal versus Control cohorts (493.1 versus 289.7 ng/mL; P<0.001, resp.), while the Newborn cohort was significantly lower than Maternal (278.2 versus 493.1 ng/mL; P<0.0001, resp.). PCSK9 was significantly correlated with TC and HDL-C in Maternal and with TC, LDL-C, and HDL-C in Newborn cohorts. Conclusions. Our study provides the first quantitative report on PCSK9 in pregnancy (at parturition) and in umbilical cord blood. Further research will determine how these changes may affect lipoprotein levels during this physiological state.

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Higher Levels of Triglyceride, Fatty Acid Translocase, and Toll-Like Receptor 4 and Lower Level of HDL-C in Pregnant Women with GDM and Their Close Correlation with Neonatal Weight

Gynecologic and Obstetric Investigation ◽

10.1159/000510032 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 1-7

Author(s):

Jianli Zhou ◽

Jie Bai ◽

Yanjuan Guo ◽

Lijun Fu ◽

Jun Xing

Keyword(s):

Cord Blood ◽

Pregnant Women ◽

Umbilical Cord ◽

Umbilical Cord Blood ◽

Venous Blood ◽

Density Lipoprotein ◽

Maternal Blood ◽

Control Group ◽

Case Group ◽

Toll Like Receptor 4

Objectives: In this study, we aimed to compare the levels of maternal blood lipids, placental and venous blood lipid transporters, and inflammatory factor receptors in pregnant women with and without gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM). We also aimed to figure out the relationship between these values and neonatal weight. Methods: Fifty pregnant women with GDM under blood glucose control belong to the case group, and 50 pregnant women with normal glucose tolerance in concurrent delivery belong to the control group. Fasting venous blood of these pregnant women was taken 2 weeks before delivery, and umbilical cord blood was collected after delivery. The levels of triglyceride (TG), serum total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) in maternal blood and umbilical cord blood were tested in the laboratory department of our hospital. The level of toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) in serum of umbilical veins was detected by the double-antibody sandwich ELISA. Western blot and RT-PCR were used to detect the protein and mRNA expressions of TLR4, LPL, and FAT/CD36 in the placenta. Results: The level of TG in maternal blood in the case group was remarkably higher than that in the control group, which was opposite to the level of HDL-C. In the umbilical cord blood of women with GDM, the expression of TLR4 increased and was closely correlated with neonatal weight. In the placenta of women with GDM, the expressions of FAT/CD36 and TLR4 increased, and both of them were closely correlated with neonatal weight. Besides, TLR4 in umbilical cord blood increased and was closely correlated with neonatal weight. Although the expression of LPL in the placenta decreased, it had no obvious correlation with neonatal weight. Conclusions: TG in maternal blood, TLR4 in the placenta and umbilical cord blood, and FAT/CD36 in the placenta were positively correlated with neonatal weight. However, HDL-C in maternal blood was negatively correlated with neonatal weight. Although the expression of LPL in the placenta reduced due to GDM, it had no correlation with neonatal weight.

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