Turkey: New Factor in the Aetiology of Recurrent Pregnancy Loss

Researchers from Turkey have discovered a new factor in the aetiology of recurrent pregnancy loss and described it in their study published in the Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology Research. The study showed the presence of vascular endothelial dysfunction in women with habitual abortion.

Nurcan Yoruk, Erzurum Regional Training and Research Hospital, Erzurum, Turkey, and colleagues aimed to determine whether a new factor exists in the aetiology of recurrent pregnancy loss. For this purpose, they investigated serum nitric oxide (NO) and malondialdehyde (MDA) levels as indicators of oxidative stress, and endocan levels, a marker of vascular dysfunction, in patients diagnosed with habitual abortion.

Study Design

The research was performed as a prospective case-control study. It included patients aged 18–40 years with two or more consecutive pregnancy losses as shown by histopathological or ultrasonographic examination and with no pathology capable of causing habitual abortion. The control group comprised patients with no history of abortion, with at least one healthy pregnancy, planning pregnancies, and presented to the outpatient clinic for routine pregnancy tests.

Thirty people were included in the habitual abortion group and 29 in the control group. Blood samples were collected and centrifuged at the end of the menstrual cycle. Serum nitric oxide, malondialdehyde, and endocan levels were studied.

Findings

• Serum endocan, NO, and MDA levels were higher in women with habitual abortion compared to healthy controls.
• Pearson's correlation analysis showed a positive correlation between serum endocan levels and NO and MDA levels.
• A positive correlation was also seen between serum MDA and NO levels.
• Multiple regression was run to predict serum endocan levels from MDA and NO levels.
• These variables emerged as statistically significant predictors of endocan.

"Our findings suggest the presence of vascular endothelial dysfunction in patients with habitual abortion," the researchers concluded.

Reference

Yoruk, N., Erdem, E. B., Aksoy, A. N., Sebin, E., & Aras, G. Serum endocan levels in patients with habitual abortion. Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology Research. https://doi.org/10.1111/jog.15668