Serum Bcl-2, caspase-9 and soluble FasL levels as perinatal markers in late preterm pregnancies with intrauterine growth restriction

Özet

Intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) is the inability of the fetus to growand develop in the expected pattern. It occurs in about 5% of pregnancies andis associated with severe fetal mortality and morbidity. Affected infants arealso highly vulnerable to diseases such as perinatal asphyxia, cerebral palsy,meconium aspiration syndrome, coagulation disorders, and immune systemdisorders that require long-term treatment. Apoptosis is thought to play a keyrole in the etiopathogenesis of IUGR. In conclusion, fetal complications arethought to be related to the severity of apoptosis in pregnancies complicatedwith IUGR.The aim of the study was to test the measurability of the severity of apoptosisusing Bcl-2, caspase-9, soluble Fas ligand (sFasL) markers and the maternalblood sample in addition to the diagnostic methods commonly used todiagnose IUGR; and to decrease the rates of adverse perinatal outcomes dueto IUGR and to evaluate the fetal well-being status without feeling a needfor invasive procedures. One hundred and fifty-nine late preterm pregnancieswere included in the study. Eighty were diagnosed with IUGR and the otherswere the control group. During delivery, maternal and umbilical cord bloodsamples were taken. Bcl-2, caspase-9, sFasL marker levels in maternal andumbilical cord sera were determined using ELISA method. Bcl-2 levels werefound to be significantly high in the maternal and umbilical cord sera in theIUGR group. There was also no significant difference between umbilical cordsera of the two groups in terms of sFasL and caspase-9 levels.The results suggest that maternal serum Bcl-2 levels may also be helpfulin the diagnosis of IUGR when used besides the ultrasonographic findings.Multicenter studies with large patient groups will increase knowledge in thisarea.