Association of L55M and Q192R polymorphisms of paraoxonase-1 gene with preeclampsia

Abstract

Background and aims: Although preeclampsia is one of the most common complications of pregnancy, the exact etiology of preeclampsia is unknown. Paraoxonase-1 (PON1) is a high-density lipoprotein-associated enzyme, which exhibits antioxidative and antiatherogenic activities. This study was aimed to determine the possible association between L55M and Q192R polymorphisms of paraoxonase-1 gene as well as serum PON1 and arylesterase (ARE) activities in preeclampsia.

Methods: This case-control study was performed on 105 preeclampsia patients and 84 normal healthy pregnant women. The polymorphisms of PON1 were determined using tetra ARMS-PCR method and serum paroxonase (PON1) and arylesterase (ARE) activities were measured spectrophotometrically.

Results: Results showed that 192 QR genotype of PON1 was higher among preeclampsia patients (43.8%) than control subjects (31.0%) (crude OR = 1.92, 95% CI, 1.03-3.57; adjusted OR = 2.07, 95% CI, 1.04-4.16,). The R allele is a risk factor for preeclampsia (OR = 1.64, 95% CI, 1.03-2.60, p = 0.038). There were no significant differences regarding L55M genotypes or alleles frequencies of PON1 among groups (p >0.05). We found that serum paraoxonase and aryesterase activities were significantly higher in preeclampsia than controls (p <0.05).

Conclusions: PON1 allele 192R is a risk factor for preeclampsia. The clinical significance of an increase of serum PON1 and ARE activities in preeclampsia remains to be elucidated. More studies in larger samples with different ethnic groups are required to validate our findings.