Cathepsin D levels are reduced in patients with preeclampsia in Korean population

ObjectivesTo compare the circulating levels of cathepsin D in preeclamptic and normotensive pregnancies.Design and methodsFifty pregnant and 20 healthy non-pregnant patients were enrolled in this study. Of the 50 pregnant patients, 15 were preeclamptic and 35 patients were normotensive. Serum levels of soluble cathepsin D were measured with an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) kit.ResultsCathepsin D levels were significantly lower in preeclamptic patients than normotensive pregnant patients (p = 0.033). The serum levels of cathepsin D in preeclamptic and non-pregnant healthy patients showed similar results. The serum levels of cathepsin D were not positively correlated with preeclampsia severity or the incidence of delivery of small for gestational age infants.ConclusionsWe conclude that a reduced cathepsin D level is an important factor that may contribute to the pathogenesis of preeclampsia, possibly by inhibiting normal trophoblastic invasion. These results contribute to the understanding of this serious obstetric problem.