The Utility of Plasma Transthyretin and Antioxidants as aBiomarker of Early Pregnancy Loss - A Pilot Study

Abstract

Objective: Miscarriage or early pregnancy loss (EPL) affects about 15-25% of all pregnancies and is considered as one of the most common complications of the human reproduction. The objective of this pilot study was to quantify and compare the levels of plasma Transthyretin (TTR) and total antioxidant capacity (TAC)among EPL patients and normal pregnant women. Design: Cross sectional pilot study. Subjects: Patients diagnosed with EPL in their first trimester (Incomplete and Missed abortion) and medically terminated pregnancy (MTP) and pregnant women in their first trimester of pregnancy without any complications. Methods: Plasma TTR and total antioxidantcapacity were quantified using Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA) and Trolox equivalent antioxidant capacity assay respectively. Statistical analyses were performed with SPSS software version 16.0 (SPSS Inc., Chicago, IL). All p values <0.05 were considered statisticallysignificant. Results: A total of 60 subjects were enrolled in the study. There was no significant difference in the mean concentration of plasma TTR among women with EPL 322.20(187.33-444.10) µg/ml and normal pregnant women 224.32(176.06-509.97) µg/ml (p=0.501). However, a significant difference was observed in the TACamong women with EPL 0.58 (0.51-0.70) mM/μl and normal pregnant women 0.71 (0.63-0.79) mM/μl (p=0.006). No significant correlation was seen between TTR and antioxidant capacity. Conclusion: Our study failed to demonstrate any relationship between plasma TTR levels and EPL. Antioxidant capacity was lower among EPL patients suggesting the importance of supplementation with antioxidants to prevent poor outcomes in pregnancy.