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Serum activin A and inhibin A elevated in pre–eclampsia: no relation to insulin sensitivity
Author(s) -
Laivuori Hannele,
Kaaja Risto,
Turpeinen Ursula,
Stenman UlfHåkan,
Ylikorkala Olavi
Publication year - 1999
Publication title -
bjog: an international journal of obstetrics and gynaecology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.157
H-Index - 164
eISSN - 1471-0528
pISSN - 1470-0328
DOI - 10.1111/j.1471-0528.1999.tb08185.x
Subject(s) - medicine , endocrinology , insulin , eclampsia , pregnancy , biology , genetics
Objective To assess the possible role of serum levels of activin A, inhibin A and pro‐αC inhibin (pro‐Design αC) in insulin sensitivity in pre‐eclampsia. Design A prospective study. Setting Helsinki University Central Hospital. Participants Twenty‐two nulliparous women with proteinuric pre‐eclampsia and 16 healthy nulliparous controls in the third trimester of pregnancy. Methods Serum samples were collected before and after intravenous injection of glucose (0.3 g/kg) and insulin (0.03 IU/kg) (the minimal model for testing insulin sensitivity), and were assayed for activin A, inhibin A and pro–αC. Main outcome measures Comparison of the levels of activin A, inhibin A and pro‐αC between pre‐eclamptic and healthy pregnant women, and the association of these proteins with insulin sensitivity. Results In pre‐eclampsia elevated levels of activin A (139%, P = 0.0001 ), inhibin A (39%, P = 0.003 ), and pro‐αC (92%, P = 0.0008 ) were observed. The amount of proteinuria (0.3–10.5 g/day) correlated positively with serum concentrations of activin A ( P = 0.01 ) and inhibin A ( P = 0.02 ). These glycol‐proteins were not associated with insulin sensitivity either in women with pre‐eclampsia or controls. A 2.9‐fold rise in blood glucose and a 52.5‐fold rise in insulin during testing using the minimal model were not accompanied by any significant changes in activin A, inhibin A, and pro‐αC. Conclusion Activin A, inhibin A, and pro–αC are elevated in pre‐eclampsia but do not appear to relate to the insulin sensitivity in pre‐eclamptic or normal pregnancies.