This study aimed to investigate the effect of T cell subsets with different proportions on renal function and blood lipids in patients with preeclampsia (PE). Ninety pregnant women were included in this experiment and classified into 3 groups: group A (30 with severe PE), group B (30 with mild PE) and group C (30 healthy pregnant women). Clinical characteristics were examined. The ratio of T cell subsets in the three groups was detected by flow cytometry. The relationship between PE and T cell subsets was determined. The results showed that no significant difference was found in age or gestational age (P>0.05). The number of CD4+ T cells (CD4 is mainly expressed in helper T cells, referred to as TH) in group A increased significantly compared with group B and group C (P less than 0.05), while the number of CD8+ T cells (CD8+ T cell, also known as cytotoxic T cell (CTL) in group A decreased noticeably in comparison to group C (P less than 0.05). The ratio of CD4+ cell number to CD8+ cell number (TH/CTL) in group A was elevated significantly compared with group B and group C (P less than 0.05). The uric acid (UA) concentration of group A was noticeably elevated compared to group C (P less than 0.05), which differed insignificantly between group B and C (P>0.05). Glomerular filtration rate (GFR) of group A was obviously impaired in comparison to group B and group C (P less than 0.05), which differed insignificantly between group B and C (P>0.05). Total cholesterol (TC) concentrations in group A, C and B were examined. TC concentrations in the former two groups were slightly higher compared to the latter (P less than 0.05), and those in the former two groups were also higher than the normal range (P less than 0.05). Mean triglyceride (TG) concentrations in all 3 groups were above the normal range, and those in group A and B were significantly higher compared to group C (P less than 0.05). TG concentrations differed insignificantly between group B and C (P>0.05). Serum TG, UA and TC in PE patients were positively related to TH/CTL (P less than 0.05). In conclusion, PE is related to T cell subsets, and T cell subsets are closely related to kidney injury and dyslipidemia.
Keywords: T cell subsets; dyslipidemia; kidney injury; preeclampsia; uric acid.