ABSTRACT
Objective: The aim of the study is to compare the plasma levels of SCUBE-1, a marker of vascular injury and endothelial dysfunction, between preeclamptic and normotensive pregnant women. Material and Methods: The current study was carried out at Health Sciences University Adana City Training and Research Hospital, implementing a prospective research design. The study included 46 pregnancies diagnosed with preeclampsia and an equal number of pregnancies with normal blood pressure, serving as control subjects. Hemoglobin, white blood cell, platelet, alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, blood urea nitrogen, creatinine, spot urine protein creatinine ratio and SCUBE-1 values were analyzed between preeclampsia and control groups. Results: There were no statistically significant differences observed in age, gravidity, parity, or body mass index as demographic features among the groups. The mean SCUBE-1 values of preeclampsia and control group were 137.65±95.97 ng/mL and 69.45±44.35 ng/mL respectively. A significant increase in the concentrations of SCUBE-1 levels was observed in pregnancies that presented with preeclampsia (p<0.001). There was a statistically significant difference between pregnant women with and without preeclampsia in terms of creatinine and blood urea nitrogen values of laboratory values (p<0.001). Conclusion: The potential of SCUBE-1 as a prognostic indicator for vascular damage in pregnancy is worth considering. Our research is the initial investigation to demonstrate elevated levels of SCUBE-1 in preeclampsia, indicating impaired function of the endothelial cells in the placenta.