Serum caveolin-1 levels in patients with preeclampsia.

The expressions of caveolin-1 have only been examined in the placental tissue of patients with preeclampsia and were reported to be low. Therefore, we decided to investigate the maternal serum levels of caveolin-1 in patients with preeclampsia. This cross-sectional study was conducted including 87 pregnant women; 32 with normal pregnancy and 55 with preeclampsia. Maternal serum levels of caveolin-1 were measured by using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay kit (ELISA). The mean serum caveolin-1 level was significantly lower in women with preeclampsia (PE) compared with the control group (11.48 ± 0.92 versus 12.94 ± 1.36 ng/ml) and being lowest in the early onset PE group (11.24 ± 0.74 ng/ml). Serum caveolin-1 concentrations did not correlate with maternal age and BMI. However, caveolin-1 concentrations were negatively correlated with systolic blood pressure ( = -0.467,  = .001) and diastolic blood pressure ( = -0.441,  = .001) as well as with umbilical artery resistance index ( = -0.275,  = .01). Maternal serum caveolin-1 levels are significantly lower in patients with PE than controls. The serum caveolin-1 levels inversely correlate with blood pressure and umbilical artery Doppler parameters.