Correlation between the TSHRc-Asp727Glu polymorphism and plasma thyroid stimulating hormone levels in Romanian preeclamptic women

• Published in: Gynecological endocrinology Vol. 27; no. 4; pp. 225 - 231
• Main Authors: Procopciuc, Lucia Maria, Hazi, Georgeta Maria, Caracostea, Gabriela, Dragotoiu, Gh, Iordache, Georgiana, Olteanu, Ileana, Stamatian, F.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England Informa Healthcare 01-04-2011; Taylor & Francis
• Subjects: Adult; Amino Acid Substitution; Case-Control Studies; Female; Genetic Predisposition to Disease; Humans; PCR- RFLP; Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide; Pre-Eclampsia - blood; Pre-Eclampsia - genetics; preeclampsia; Pregnancy; Receptors, Thyrotropin - genetics; Romania; Thyrotropin - blood; TSH levels; TSHRc-Asp727Glu; Young Adult; Romania
• ISSN: 0951-3590; 1473-0766
• DOI: 10.3109/09513590.2010.526658

Aim. To analyze the influence of thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) levels and/or the Asp727Glu polymorphism on the severity and perinatal outcome of preeclampsia.
Methods. Forty-nine women with preeclampsia and 58 normal pregnant women were genotyped for the TSHRc-Asp727Glu polymorphism using PCR-RFLP methods. The plasma TSH levels were measured by ELISA method.
Results. Fourteen (77.78%) women of 18 pregnant women with abnormal TSH levels had preeclampsia compared to 35 (39.33%) of 89 pregnant women with normal TSH levels who had preeclampsia (OR 5.4, p = 0.003). The mean TSH levels were 2.13 ± 1.44 μU/ml, 2.47 ± 2.03 μU/ml and 4.27 ± 2.75 μU/ml in women with pregnancy induced hypertension (PIH), mild and severe preeclampsia, respectively. OR for PIH and mild preeclampsia was 1.08 (p = 1) and 9.45 (p = 0.06), respectively, in association with the Asp/Asp genotype. All women with severe preeclampsia had the Asp/Asp genotype. The risk for preeclampsia in association with TSH > 4 μU/ml and Asp/Asp genotype is 20.8 (p < 0.01). Preeclamptic women with TSH levels >4 μU/ml and the Asp/Asp genotype delivered earlier (weeks, 34.92 ± 4.33 vs. 36.6 ± 3.21, p = 0.3) neonates with lower birth weight (grams, 2361.54 ± 1155.81 vs. 3000 ± 1072.38, p = 0.3) than preeclamptic women with TSH levels <4 μU/ml and the Asp/Glu genotype.
Conclusions. Higher TSH levels and/or the TSHRc-Asp727Glu polymorphism represent risk factors for preeclampsia and could be correlated with the severity of preeclampsia.