Human placental growth hormone in ectopic pregnancy: Detection in maternal blood, immunohistochemistry and potential clinical implication. (December 2017)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Hübener, Christoph; Bidlingmaier, Martin; Wu, Zida; Diebold, Joachim; Strasburger, Christian J.; Mahner, Sven; Hasbargen, Uwe; Delius, Maria
• Is Part Of: Growth hormone & IGF research. Volume 37(2017)
• Page Start: 13
• Page End: 18
• Publication Date: 2017-12
• Subjects: Ectopic pregnancy -- Placental growth hormone -- HGH-V -- Biomarker; Growth regulators -- Periodicals; Growth -- Regulation -- Periodicals; Somatomedin -- Periodicals; Somatomedins -- Periodicals; Growth Hormone -- Periodicals; Growth Substances -- Periodicals; Croissance -- Régulation -- Périodiques; Croissance -- Régulateurs -- Périodiques; Somatotrophine -- Périodiques; Somatomédine -- Périodiques; Growth -- Regulation; Growth regulators; Electronic journals; Periodicals; Electronic journals; 612.4
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ghir.2017.10.004
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1096-6374

Abstract

Abstract: Objective: To investigate human placental growth hormone (hGH-V) in ectopic pregnancy (EP): detection in maternal blood, correlation with immunohistochemistry and possible role as a marker for the course of EP. Design: Women presenting in the outpatient or emergency department of a tertiary care university hospital with a positive pregnancy test and strong suspicion of EP by ultrasound and/or symptoms were eligible for the study ( n = 70). Tissue specimens from the surgically treated patients ( n = 50) were examined by histopathology as well as by a hGH-V specific immohistochemistry set-up. A highly sensitive hGH-V specific immunoassay was used to analyse serum samples collected before treatment, day 1 post surgery samples and serial samples for medical treatment. Result(s): In EP patients' sera hGH-V was shown to be measurable for the first time ( n = 18). HGH-V however could not be detected in all patients' sera. HCG levels were significantly higher in the hGH-V serum positive group ( p 0.001). HGH-V was localized to the syncytiotrophoblast in all specimens of EP examined by immunohistochemistry ( n = 10) regardless of the detection in the patient's blood. Conclusion(s): Placental growth hormone (hGH-V) was shown to be present both in ectopic pregnancy patients' sera and tissue. It may serve as a biomarker for monitoring the course and treatment of EP. Highlights: Placental growth homone (hGH-V) is expressed in ectopic pregnancy (EP). HGH-V can be detected in the patient's blood and in tissue specimens of EP. HGH-V may help monitoring the natural course and treatment of EP. The short half life of HGH-V is of advantage in monitoring EP.