Measuring sVAP-1 as a predictor of pregnancy problems. Version 1.0
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Measuring soluble Vascular Adhesion Protein-1 as a potential biomarker for predicting pregnancy problems.
IRAS ID
289532
Contact name
Bee K Tan
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
University of Leicester
Duration of Study in the UK
0 years, 6 months, 28 days
Research summary
Summary of Research
Pre-eclampsia is a common pregnancy disorder defined as high blood pressure and protein in the urine after 20 weeks of pregnancy. It affects the function of the placenta and can cause severe complications, e.g, stroke, multiple organ damage and seizures for the mother, and fetal growth restriction or stillbirth for the baby. Pre-eclampsia can also cause long term health problems for mother and baby.
Currently, there is no test that can predict whether someone will develop pre-eclampsia, so nothing is done to intervene before the problems begin.
Results from our previous work suggest that we may have found something that can be measured in a blood sample that can predict which women might develop pre-eclampsia. It is a protein known as Vascular Adhesion Protein-1 (VAP-1), and our evidence points at it being involved in the embryo attaching to the womb and also in helping the development of the placenta by helping to get the right cells to where they are needed.
We will test blood samples from 451 pregnant women who come to the Leicester Royal Infirmary for routine bloods and their first pregnancy dating scan. We will then follow the outcomes of the pregnancy to see if VAP-1 in the blood of women who develop pre-eclampsia is different from the ones who do not develop pre-eclampsia. The ability to predict women at higher risk of pre-eclampsia (and the associated adverse outcomes) would ensure the application of timely interventions and appropriate management of the condition that may help to prevent complications during pregnancy and later life.
The study is expected to last approximately 30 weeks and the participants will be asked to give one extra tube of blood whilst having their routine bloods taken and to also consent to follow up of medical records until the end of the pregnancy.
Summary of Results
According to the results of this study, serum sVAP-1 levels are lower in women who developed hypertension during pregnancy (HDP) or gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) as compared to the ones who did not experience neither of those complications.
No correlation was found between sVAP-1 levels in women developing other pregnancy complications (including foetal growth restriction).
REC name
East Midlands - Leicester Central Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
21/EM/0090
Date of REC Opinion
15 Apr 2021
REC opinion
Favourable Opinion