Abstract
BACKGROUND This study aimed to investigate the expression of RSPO3 and ß-catenin in preeclampsia and the relationship between RSPO3 and b-catenin levels and maternal-fetal outcomes. MATERIAL AND METHODS We enrolled 60 pregnant women with preeclampsia and 60 pregnant women without preeclampsia. We collected peripheral blood from the patients upon admission; placenta and cord blood were collected after delivery. The expression of RSPO3 and ß-catenin in maternal blood, cord blood, and placenta was measured. We used the Spearman method to examine the correlations between clinical characteristics and RSPO3. Logistic regression modeling was used to identify the independent risk factors for preeclampsia. RESULTS RSPO3 and ß-catenin levels were decreased in the peripheral blood, cord blood, and placentas of women with preeclampsia, with significant differences (P<0.05). The preeclampsia group had more adverse pregnancy outcomes. RSPO3 level of the preeclampsia group was negatively correlated with systolic blood pressure (r=-0.4654, P<0.001) and diastolic blood pressure (r=-0.4617, P<0.001) in cord blood, and systolic blood pressure (r=-0.5373, P<0.05) and diastolic blood pressure (r=-0.4898, P<0.05) in maternal blood. CONCLUSIONS RSPO3 and ß-catenin were decreased in preeclampsia, RSPO3 was negatively correlated with blood pressure, and RSPO3 could be a risk factor for the development of preeclampsia.