Profiles of bile acids and progesterone metabolites in the urine and serum of women with intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy

Predicting fetal outcome in intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy: Is the bile acid level sufficient?

“…Elevated sulfated progesterone compounds as well as impaired excretion of bile acids are found in pregnancies complicated by ICP. 6,7 Progesterone given to delay premature delivery has been associated with ICP. 8 High levels of maternal bile acids produce abnormalities in placental transport, placental hormone production, chorionic vessel constriction and possibly fetal cardiac function.…”

Progesterone Metabolites as Farnesoid X Receptor Inhibitors

“…Based on consistent reports of dysregulation of bile acid metabolism during pregnancy and supraphysiologically raised levels of sulfated progesterone metabolites in women with ICP [6,7], we hypothesised that the endocrine component of ICP interferes with the function of the nuclear receptor FXR.…”

“…The levels rise progressively from mid-gestation. In women with the commonest pregnancy-specific liver disease, ICP, levels of progesterone sulfates in serum and urine rise further [6,7,8]. Serum levels of sulfated metabolites of progesterone are summarised in figure 2.…”

Feasibility of desorption atmospheric pressure photoionization and desorption electrospray ionization mass spectrometry to monitor urinary steroid metabolites during pregnancy

“…Due to the non-invasiveness and ease of collection, maternal urine represents a feasible matrix for large scale screening studies. For example, the steroid metabolite profile in maternal urine has been reported as a suitable diagnostic tool for identification of intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy [10], and Smith-Lemli-Opitz syndrome [11], as well as determining success of in vitro fertilization [12]. A recent study from our group gave also preliminary evidence that contractions may be predicted by studying steroid metabolites in urine [7].…”