Plasma levels of uric acid and leptin in preeclampsia and normal pregnancies

The aim of this study is to compare the uric acid and leptin levels in preeclamtic and normal pregnants and to investigate the relationship between these levels and the severity of the disease. This study was performed on 40 (20 severe, 20 mild) patients who had received a diagnosis of preecclampsia and on 30 normal healthy pregnant women, a total of 70 singleton pregnancies, at 34-42nd gestational weeks who had recourse to obstetric and gynecology clinic from February to September. Plasma leptin levels were determined by using ELISA method. Levels of those parameters were compared in preeclamptic and normal pregnant woman. Leptin levels were found as 9.6±7.2ng/mL in severely preeclamptic group, 5.4±3.0ng/mL in mildly preeclamptic group and 3.1±3.1ng/mL in control group. In severe preeclampsia group, leptin levels were statistically significantly higher (p=0.001). Uric acid levels were found as 6.3±1.8mg/mL in severe preeclamptic group, 5.0±1.4mg/mL in mildly preeclamptic group and 4.02±0.73mg/mL in control group. When uric acid levels of preeclamptic groups were compared with the control, statistically significant difference was determined among the groups (p=0.001). The highest uric acid level was found in severely preeclamptic group. A weak, positive correlation was determined between serum uric acid and leptin levels (r=0.039). Increased uric acid values were found with increasing serum leptin levels. In preeclamptic patients it was found that uric acid levels were increased with increasing serum leptin levels. We consider that leptin hormone which has various functions may have some role in etiopathogenesis of preeclampsia and may be a useful marker of preeclampsia.