Clinical significance of determination of plasma CF6, 6-Keto-PGF1α and RLX levels in patients with preeclampsia

Objective: To study the relationship between development of the disease and changes of plasma mitochondrial coupling factor 6 (CF6), prostacyclin (6-Keto-PGF1α) and relaxin (RLX) levels in patients with preeclampsia. Methods: Serum CF6, 6-Keto-PGF1α (as the stable metabolite of 6-Keto-PGF1α) and relaxin levels were determined with RIA in (1) 22 pregnant women with mild pre-eclampsia (2) 20 pregnant women with severe pre-eclampsia and (3) 40 normal pregnant women (as controls). Results: The plasma levels of CF6 were significantly higher in patients with mild as well as severe preeclampsia than those in the controls (P < 0.05, P < 0.01). Plasma levels of 6-Keto-PGF1α were only insignificantly decreased in patients with mild preeclampsia than those in the controls (P > 0.05). In severe preeclampsia group, plasma levels of 6-Keto-PGF1α were significantly decreased than those in the controls (P < 0.01). The plasma levels of RLX were significantly decreased in both patients with mild preeclampsia and severe preeclampsia than those in the control group (all P < 0.01). The plasma levels of CF6 were significantly negatively correlated with the plasma levels of 6-Keto-PGF1α and RLX (r =-0.058, r =-0.601, all P < 0.05). Conclusion: The determination of changes of plasma CF6, 6-Keto-PGF1α and RLX levels in patients with preeclampsia were helpful for assessment of progress of disease and outcome prediction. (authors)