Lipoprotein(a) levels in women with pre-eclampsia and in normotensive pregnant women

Aim: To determine if plasma lipoprotein(a) levels are elevated in pre-eclampsia and if so, their association with the severity of the disease. Methods: Ninety-one pre-eclamptic (48 mild, 43 severe) and 40 healthy normotensive pregnant women at more than 32 gestational weeks were recruited into study. Plasma levels of lipoprotein(a), lipids, total protein, albumin and fibrinogen were measured in all subjects. Results: All groups were comparable with respect to maternal age, maternal weight, gravidity and parity. Platelet count, total serum protein and albumin levels were significantly decreased, whereas fibrinogen levels significantly increased in the pre-eclamptic group. There was no difference between the groups with respect to total cholesterol and low-density lipoprotein levels. In the pre-eclampsic group, triglyceride and very-low-density lipoprotein concentrations were significantly higher, whereas high-density lipoprotein levels were significantly lower. No difference in serum lipoprotein(a) levels was found between the three groups. Conclusions: No statistically significant difference existed between normotensive pregnant, and pre-eclamptic women, with regard to plasma lipoprotein(a) levels. It is improbable that high serum lipoprotein(a) levels are risk factors for the development of pre-eclampsia; however, elevated triglyceride-rich lipoproteins might cause endothelial damage leading to pre-eclampsia.