Biomarkers in Non-Complicated Pregnancy: Insights About Serum Myeloperoxidase and Ultrasensitive C-Reactive Protein

Abstract

Introduction Pregnancy is characterized by increased innate immune response, with low-grade systemic inflammation. The specific role of MPO during normal pregnancy remains not well understood. Therefore, the aim of this study was to evaluate plasma levels of MPO, hs-CRP, total leukocyte, absolute neutrophil and monocyte counts, in all trimesters of normal human pregnancy compared with non-pregnant controls. In addition, possible fluctuations of MPO according to different inflammatory conditions in the normal gestation were studied. Materials and methods Case-control study (n=84) developed with 63 normal pregnant women and 21 healthy non-pregnant women. Total leukocyte, absolute neutrophils and absolute monocytes count, hs-CRP and MPO were measured in non-pregnant women and normal human pregnancy. They were evaluated according to the 3 trimesters of pregnancy and systemic low grade inflammatory status, which was identified through increased hs-CRP levels. Results MPO levels in the normal pregnant women were not elevated in every 3 trimesters of pregnancy (P=0.456) or in systemic inflammation (P=0.446). The hs-CRP levels, total leukocyte, absolute neutrophil and monocyte counts are present in higher concentrations in normal pregnant women in relation to non-pregnant women. Conclusions The MPO did not show fluctuations in plasma levels during the 3 trimesters of gestation or in relation to different inflammation conditions. Considering MPO and hs-CRP levels are changed in high cardiovascular risk conditions and MPO levels (unlike hs-CRP) didn’t increase during non complicated pregnancy, MPO could be a better biomarker than hs-CRP to monitor these patients.

Immature neutrophils in cord blood exert increased expression of genes associated with antimicrobial function

“…Importantly, PB neutrophils showed promoted gene expression of DEFA3 compared to HV suggesting increased readiness to fight against infection, Figure 3A . The marker linked with the function of neutrophils is myeloperoxidase which stabile levels during pregnancy can be considered as a biomarker of non-complicated course of pregnancy ( 48 ). Cord blood neutrophils shows superior gene expression of MPO compared to adult neutrophils (both HV and PB).…”

Cord blood DNA methylation reflects cord blood C-reactive protein levels but not maternal levels: a longitudinal study and meta-analysis

“…Studies linking maternal CRP with childhood asthma/allergies [12,14] have also been inconsistent. These observations, in combination with the natural rise of CRP during pregnancy [30], make it difficult to evaluate normative rather than "elevated" CRP in the context of pregnancy. We modeled linear associations with the understanding that higher inflammation is indicative of cellular damage, but in the context of pregnancy, it is possible that some non-linear relationships exist for the lowest and the highest CRP levels.…”

Altered dietary behaviour during pregnancy impacts systemic metabolic phenotypes

“…One potential mechanism of foetal programming is through maternal systemic inflammation levels. During pregnancy inflammation naturally increases from the time of blastocyst implantation and escalates during parturition ( 20 ) and pregnancies with complications such as preeclampsia and gestational diabetes show raised levels of the inflammatory marker C-Reactive Protein (CRP) compared to pregnancies without complications ( 21 ). Plasma acute phase glycoprotein glycans (GlycA and GlycB), arising from N-acetylglucosamine/galactosamine and neuraminic (or sialic) acid chains, can be measured using 1 H nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy ( 22 , 23 ) and have been shown to be more reliable than high sensitivity CRP ( 24 ).…”