Plasma lipoproteins in normal and preeclamptic pregnant women

Preeclampsia is one of the most common complications of pregnancy. It is the cause of high morbidity and mortality for mothers and fetuses, especially in developing countries. The etiology of preeclampsia is unknown. One of the hypothesis on pathophysiology of preeclampsia is dyslipidemia. The aim of this study was to determine maternal plasma levels of lipoproteins in patients with preeclampsia and normotensive pregnants women who referred to Asali hospital. Plasma levels of total cholesterol, total triglyceride, low density lipoprotein (LDL) and high density lipoprotein (HDL) were measured in 20 preeclamptic women and 20 normal pregnant women with gestational age between 37-40 years. The plasma levels of total cholesterol and total triglyceride and low density lipoprotein (LDL) were significantly higher in preeclamptic women than in controls p<0.001). Levels of high density lipoprotein (HDL) did not differ significantly between two groups. The results indicate that dislipidemia is a risk factor for pathophysiology of preeclamsia.