Open AccessSerum indoxyl sulphate and its relation to albumin and α1-acid glycoprotein as a potential biomarkers of maternal intestinal metabolism during pregnancy and postpartum
Author(s) -
Barbara Lisowska-Myjak,
Hanna Zborowska,
Radosław Jaźwiec,
Maria Karlińska,
Ewa Skarżyńska
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
plos one
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.99
H-Index - 332
ISSN - 1932-6203
DOI - 10.1371/journal.pone.0259501
Subject(s) - orosomucoid , pregnancy , postpartum period , albumin , medicine , endocrinology , preeclampsia , blood proteins , serum albumin , chemistry , glycoprotein , biology , biochemistry , genetics
Background Serum indoxyl sulfate (IS) levels depend on the production of indole in the gut. The biological effects of IS in the vascular bed could be confirmed by changes in the levels of individual serum proteins during normal pregnancy and in the postpartum period as compared with non-pregnant controls. Albumin (Alb) and α 1 -acid glycoprotein (AGP, orosomucoid) are the most abundant serum carrier proteins with potential interrelationships with serum levels of IS. Methods Serum levels of IS, Alb and AGP were measured in 84 pregnant women in the first, second and third trimester of pregnancy and in the postpartum period, as well as in non-pregnant controls (n = 20), using ultra-performance liquid chromatography (UPLC) coupled to mass spectrometry (IS), colorimetric assay (Alb) and immunoturbidimetric assay (AGP). Results The postpartum serum levels [mg/L] of IS were lower (p = 0.027) than in the second trimester (mean±SD: 0.85±0.39 vs 0.58±0.32). There were no differences in the IS to ALB ratio calculated in the three trimesters of pregnancy, the postpartum period, and in the non-pregnant controls. The IS/AGP ratio increased from the first to the second trimester (p = 0.039), and decreased in the postpartum period (p<0.05), when it was lower than in the second and third trimester. Conclusions The variability of the serum IS/AGP ratio during pregnancy and in the postpartum period may reflect shared involvement in the regulation of their intravascular relationships. The link between serum levels of IS derived from the gut and AGP could serve a potential biomarkers of maternal intestinal metabolism during pregnancy and postpartum.