Maternal serum apelin-13 levels in early- and late-onset preeclampsia.

Objective: To assess whether alterations in maternal serum apelin-13 levels differ between early-onset preeclampsia (EO-PE) and late-onset preeclampsia (LO-PE).

Materials and methods: A prospective case-control study included 90 preeclamptic cases and 90 normotensive healthy pregnant women as controls. Preeclampsia cases were subclassified as EO-PE and LO-PE. Blood samples were collected, centrifuged, and the separated serum was stored at -80°C for further testing. Ethylenediamine tetraacetic acid blood was used for complete blood count. Serum sample was used for analysis of biochemical parameters. Maternal serum apelin-13 concentrations were measured using ELISA. Demographic details and fetal outcomes were recorded.

Results: Results indicated significantly lower gestational age at sampling and delivery in preeclampsia cases. Blood pressure (systolic, diastolic, and mean arterial pressure) was elevated in preeclampsia. Maternal serum apelin-13 levels (261.7±110.6 pg/mL) were significantly reduced in preeclamptic cases compared to controls (575.3±164.7 pg/mL). Adverse fetal outcomes were more prevalent in preeclampsia. Regarding EO-PE and LO-PE, gestational age at sampling and delivery was lower in EO-PE compared to LO-PE. Maternal serum apelin-13 levels (371.3±116.0 pg/mL) were higher in EO-PE. A 40.9% reduction in apelin-13 levels was observed in LO-PE compared to EO-PE, indicating a gradual reduction in apelin-13 levels in preeclampsia. Adverse fetal outcomes, such as birth weight (1.8±0.5 kg), were lower, and other adverse outcomes were higher in EO-PE compared to LO-PE.

Conclusion: Circulating serum apelin-13 concentration was reduced in preeclampsia and was higher in EO-PE than in LO-PE. Apelin-13 serves as a potential indicator for discriminating early-onset preeclampsia.