Title: Leptin as a second trimester marker for preeclampsia
Abstract: Leptin, a hormone produced by placental trophoblasts, is recognized as a regulator of satiety and fetal growth. Placental changes associated with preeclampsia are known to alter leptin gene regulation. This study was undertaken to determine if serum leptin levels are altered in the second trimester prior to the onset of clinical symptoms of preeclampsia. Following IRB approval, serum was obtained from −70°C storage for healthy controls and patients who developed preeclampsia defined by ACOG criteria. Patients were matched for age, gestational age at blood draw, and body mass index (BMI). Leptin concentration was quantitated by ELISA and reported as mean ± SEM in pg/mL. Statistical analysis was performed with independent sample T test, chi square, and Fisher's exact test where appropriate. 23 controls and 23 patients with preeclampsia were enrolled. Age (p=0.54), gestational age at blood draw (p=0.32), and BMI (p=0.96) were all similar between groups. However, leptin was not different in second trimester serum in patients who later developed preeclampsia compared to healthy normotensive patients (6044.2 ± 304.6 vs. 6341 ± 236.8, p=0.44). Although leptin has been reported to be altered in serum of patients who have clinical manifestations of preeclampsia, it does not appear to be altered earlier as measured in the second trimester. Leptin alone is not a candidate marker for early detection of preeclampsia.