Hypertensive disorders of pregnancy are associated with endothelial dysfunction and increased maternal and fetal morbidity. Endothelial extracellular vesicles (EEVs) have emerged as promising biomarkers of endothelial activation; however, their relationship with blood pressure and endothelial function during pregnancy remains incompletely understood. This observational case-control study aims to compare circulating EEV concentrations between normotensive pregnant women and pregnant women with hypertensive disorders of pregnancy. The study will also investigate the associations between EEV levels, blood pressure, microvascular endothelial function assessed by laser Doppler flowmetry, and circulating biomarkers of endothelial activation. The findings may improve understanding of endothelial injury during pregnancy and support the development of non-invasive biomarkers for early detection and monitoring of hypertensive disorders of pregnancy.
Study Type
OBSERVATIONAL
Enrollment
80
Faculty of Medicine Osijek
Osijek, Croatia
RECRUITINGPlasma endothelial extracellular vesicle concentration
Concentration of circulating endothelial extracellular vesicles quantified by flow cytometry following size-exclusion chromatography isolation.
Time frame: Baseline
Post-occlusive reactive hyperemia (PORH)
Microvascular endothelium-dependent vasodilation assessed by laser Doppler flowmetry following 1-minute arterial occlusion.
Time frame: Baseline
Acetylcholine-induced vasodilation (AChID)
Endothelium-dependent microvascular vasodilation assessed by acetylcholine iontophoresis and laser Doppler flowmetry.
Time frame: Baseline
Sodium nitroprusside-induced vasodilation (SNPID)
Endothelium-independent microvascular vasodilation assessed by sodium nitroprusside iontophoresis and laser Doppler flowmetry.
Time frame: Baseline
VCAM-1 concentration
Plasma vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1) concentration measured as a marker of endothelial activation.
Time frame: Baseline
ICAM-1 concentration
Plasma intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) concentration measured as a marker of endothelial activation.
Time frame: Baseline
Endocan concentration
Plasma endocan concentration measured as a marker of endothelial dysfunction.
Time frame: Baseline
von Willebrand factor (vWF)
Plasma von Willebrand factor concentration measured as a marker of endothelial injury.
Time frame: Baseline
Matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9)
Plasma MMP-9 concentration measured as a marker of vascular remodeling and endothelial dysfunction.
Time frame: Baseline
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