Similar pro-NT and pro-RLX2 levels after preeclampsia and after uncomplicated pregnancy. (December 2017)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Zoet, G.A.; van Rijn, B.B.; Rehfeldt, M.; Franx, A.; Maas, A.H.E.M.
• Is Part Of: Maturitas. Volume 106(2017)
• Page Start: 87
• Page End: 91
• Publication Date: 2017-12
• Subjects: Preeclampsia -- Biomarkers -- Cardiovascular disease -- Pro-NT -- Pro-RLX2; Climacteric -- Periodicals; Menopause -- Periodicals; Climacteric -- Periodicals; Geriatrics -- Periodicals; Menopause -- Periodicals; Middle Aged -- Periodicals; Climatère -- Périodiques; Ménopause -- Périodiques; Climacterium; Climacteric; Menopause; Electronic journals; Periodicals; 612.66
• DOI: 10.1016/j.maturitas.2017.09.007
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0378-5122

Abstract

Highlights: Women with a history of preeclampsia are at increased risk of developing cardiovascular disease. Pro-NT and pro-RLX2 recently emerged as promising biomarkers of risk of cardiovascular disease. Pro-NT and pro-RLX2 levels were comparable in women 10 years after preeclampsia and women with an uncomplicated pregnancy. Pro-NT and pro-RLX2 could not serve as biomarkers of risk of cardiovascular disease within this cohort of women. Abstract: Objective: Women are at increased risk of developing cardiovascular disease (CVD) after preeclampsia. Proneurotensin 1-117 (pro-NT) and prorelaxin 2 connecting peptide (pro-RLX2) have recently emerged as potential biomarkers for CVD risk in women. We assessed pro-NT and pro-RLX2 levels in women with and without a history of preeclampsia. Study design: 339 women with a history of early-onset preeclampsia and 327 women with an uncomplicated pregnancy underwent cardiovascular screening 10 years after delivery (the Preeclampsia Risk EValuation in FEMales (PREVFEM) cohort). Main outcome measures: Pro-NT, a stable fragment of the neurotensin precursor, was assessed in the whole cohort. Pro-RLX2, the stable connecting peptide of the relaxin 2 prohormone, was assessed in a subset of this cohort, consisting of 27 women with a history of preeclampsia and 23 healthy controls. Associations between biomarker levels and traditional CVD risk factors in the preeclampsia and control group were assessed by Pearson's correlation coefficient. Results: We found no differences in pro-NT and pro-RLX2 levels between the preeclampsia and control group. Pro-NT levels were associated with higher HbA1c levels (r = 0.113, p-value 0.045) and with BMI (r = 0.124, p-value 0.027), but only in the control group. Pro-RLX2 was related to current smoking and triglyceride levels in women with a history of preeclampsia and related to LDL-cholesterol in women with an uncomplicated pregnancy. Conclusions: Pro-NT and pro-RLX2 levels were comparable in women 10 years after preeclampsia and women with an uncomplicated pregnancy. The role of pro-NT and pro-RLX2 in CVD development after preeclampsia should be further investigated.