Investigation of Netrin-1 Levels in Maternal and Umbilical Cord Serum in Preeclampsia and Their Relationship With Vitamin D, Vitamin B12, and Folic Acid

Background The purpose of this study was to compare maternal blood and umbilical cord Netrin-1 levels at delivery in severe preeclampsia (PE) patients to a control group, investigate their relationship with clinical parameters, and look into the potential link between maternal vitamin D, vitamin B12, and folic acid levels. Methods This is a case-control observational study that included 22 pregnant women with severe PE and a control group of 22 healthy pregnant women of the same gestational age. We measured Netrin-1 levels in serum samples collected from maternal blood and umbilical cords during cesarean section in both groups. Vitamin D, B12, and folic acid levels in maternal blood were also measured in both groups. An enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was used to measure Netrin-1 levels. Results The maternal Netrin-1 levels were significantly higher in the PE group compared to the control group (p = 0.006). We found a significant positive correlation between maternal Netrin-1 levels and proteinuria in the PE group (p = 0.001). The control group, on the other hand, did not exhibit this relationship. Conclusion We discovered that PE cases had higher levels of maternal Netrin-1, and that maternal Netrin-1 levels and proteinuria were significantly positively correlated. Nevertheless, we did not find any correlation or increase in umbilical cord Netrin-1 levels. We believe that the primary reason for these changes is to protect the fetus from microvascular and endothelial injury.