2017 年 5 巻 1 号 p. 2-6
Aim: This study aimed to determine the normal range of the lectin-like oxidised LDL receptor (LOX) index during pregnancy and investigate whether the index can be used as a biomarker of maternal endothelial function.
Methods: We conducted a prospective pilot study consisting of 12 pregnant women without obstetric or medical complications and eight non-pregnant women at Kyoto University Hospital between March 2011 and March 2012. Endothelial function was evaluated by the reactive hyperaemia index (RHI) using Endo-PAT2000 in early, mid-, and late gestation. Plasma levels of soluble LOX-1 (sLOX-1) and LOX-1 ligand containing apolipoprotein B (LAB) in each gestation period were measured by ELISA. The LOX index was obtained by multiplying plasma levels of LAB with those of sLOX-1.
Results: The LOX index increased significantly as gestational age advanced. The LOX index, but not LAB or sLOX-1, was correlated with RHI in mid-gestation (R=0.3352, P=0.0486).
Conclusions: The LOX index during mid-gestation may be a useful biomarker of maternal endothelial function.