Clinical Trial: Alterations in the Plasma Proteome of Early-Onset Severe Preeclampsia

Study Status: Recruiting
Recruit Status: Unknown status
Study Type: Observational

Official Title: Alterations in the Plasma Proteome of Early-Onset Severe Preeclampsia

Brief Summary: The hypothesis of this study is that many plasma proteins are altered in concentration and structure in preeclampsia and the elucidation of these alterations will add to the poorly understood pathophysiology of preeclampsia. In this study we will compare the maternal plasma proteomes of early-onset severe preeclampsia versus healthy controls, compare protein expression and quantification of the maternal plasma proteome at the time of diagnosis of EOS-preeclampsia to the plasma proteome of the same affected subject at 48 hours post delivery and we will verify the placental expression of differentially expressed or post-translationally modified proteins found in the plasma of women with EOS-preeclampsia.

Detailed Summary:

Preeclampsia affects 7-10% of all pregnancies and is directly responsible for 50,000 maternal deaths and 900,000 perinatal deaths each year. Preeclampsia remains unpredictable and incurable except through premature delivery of the fetus. It is essential that a better understanding of preeclampsia is obtained.

Proteomics offers a methodology for identification and quantification of each protein fraction found in human plasma in both disease and health. Since proteins are the basic elements of human biology, it is anticipated that alterations in protein posttranslational modification or total protein expression would be indicative and diagnostic of a disease state. Because proteins are recognized to act as messengers through hormone action, act as enzymes to catalyze important organic reactions and serve as structural components of the human body, they are the most representative of the current state of metabolic and structural activity in both the naive and disease state.

Two groups of patients will be enrolled: (1) Patients with EOS-preeclampsia (N=30) and (2) healthy patients with normal pregnancies (N=120). The patients with EOS-preeclampsia will be matched (1:4) with contemporaneous control patients who are carrying a singleton gestation at a similar gestational age. To measure changes in proteins, we will compare proteins in the blood plasma of women with EOS-preeclampsia before and after pregnancy. We will also compare the blood plasmas of healthy versus EOS-preeclamptic women for differences in plasma proteins. Finally, we will examine the placental RNA of patients with EOS-preeclampsia and healthy patients delivered at 35-37 weeks gestation.


Sponsor: Medical University of South Carolina

Current Primary Outcome: Blood will be drawn from control patients and EOS-preeclampsia patients to test for differences in proteins between control patients and those with EOS-preeclampsia and differences in the proteins of patients with EOS-preeclampsia before and after birth [ Time Frame: Once prior to and once after birth ]

Original Primary Outcome: Same as current

Current Secondary Outcome: Placental tissue will be collected from women affected by EOS-preeclampsia. [ Time Frame: Once, after birth ]

Original Secondary Outcome: Same as current

Information By: Medical University of South Carolina

Dates:
Date Received: February 19, 2008
Date Started: August 2007
Date Completion: August 2010
Last Updated: July 18, 2008
Last Verified: July 2008