• Journal of Genetic Medicine
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• v.9 no.2
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• pp.78-83
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• 2012

Purpose: The aim of this nested case-control study was to investigate the association between hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) concentrations in maternal plasma and the risk of developing preeclampsia. Materials and Methods: Plasma HGF concentration were measured in 52 women who subsequently developed preeclampsia and 104 normal pregnant women at the time of genetic amniocentesis (15-20 weeks) by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Results: Maternal plasma HGF concentrations were significantly higher in women with subsequent preeclampsia (median: 737.8 ng/mL vs. 670.4 ng/mL, P=0.003) than in normal controls. However, HGF concentrations were not significantly different between subgroups by preeclamptic complications. After adjusting for potential confounding factors, women with HGF concentrations ${\geq}702.5ng/mL$ had a 3.2-fold increased risk (95% CI 2.7-5.4, P<0.001) of subsequent development of preeclampsia compared with women with HGF concentrations <702.5 ng/mL. Conclusion: Elevated maternal plasma HGF concentrations in the early second-trimester are associated with an increased risk of developing preeclampsia.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.58 no.11
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• pp.415-420
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• 2015

Purpose: Bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) is characterized by inflammation with proteolytic damage to the lung extracellular matrix. The results from previous studies are inconsistent regarding the role of proteinases and antiproteinases in the development of BPD. The aim of the present study was to investigate whether matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-8, MMP-9, tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase (TIMP)-2, and TIMP-1 levels in the serum of preterm infants at birth are related to the development of BPD. Methods: Serum was collected from 62 preterm infants at birth and analyzed for MMP-8, MMP-9, TIMP-2, and TIMP-1 by using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. MMPs and TIMPs were compared in BPD (n=24) and no BPD groups (n=38). Clinical predictors of BPD (sex, birth weight, gestational age, etc.) were assessed for both groups. The association between predictors and outcome, BPD, was assessed by using multivariate logistic regression. Results: Sex, birth weight, and mean gestational age were similar between the groups. BPD preterm infants had significantly lower TIMP-2 levels at birth compared with no BPD preterm infants ($138.1{\pm}23.0ng/mL$ vs. $171.8{\pm}44.1ng/mL$, P=0.027). No significant difference was observed in MMP-8, MMP-9, and TIMP-1 levels between the two groups. Multivariate logistic regression analysis indicated that the TIMP-2 levels were predictive of BPD after adjusting for sex, birth weight, gestational age, proteinuric preeclampsia, and intraventricular hemorrhage (${\beta}=-0.063$, P=0.041). Conclusion: Low TIMP-2 serum levels at birth may be associated with the subsequent development of BPD in preterm infants.