PP057. ENOSI4 and EPHX1 polymorphisms affect maternal susceptibility topreeclampsia - Analysis of five polymorphisms predisposing tocardiovascular disease in 279 caucasian and 241 african women.

OBJECTIVES

Clinical studies have documented a familiar tendency to develop preeclampsia and patients with impaired endothelial health are at increased risk. We studied genetic polymorphisms associated to cardiovascular disease and impaired endothelial function in women with and without preeclampsia.

METHODS

241 African and 279 Caucasian women were recruited for genetic testing of the polymorphisms epoxide hydrolase 1 (EPXH1), endothelial nitric oxide synthase (NOS3) on exon 7 and variable nucleotide tandem repeats in intron 4 (NOS3I4a/b), angiotensinogen and the estrogen receptor1 polymorphism in intron 1.

RESULTS

Of 241 African women, 95 developed preeclampsia and out of the 279 Caucasian women 81 had preeclampsia. Carriers of the NOS3I4a/b polymorphism had a 1.7-fold increased risk to develop preeclampsia. There was no difference in distribution of the other tested polymorphism. Furthermore we could show a fourfold reduction to encounter severe course of preeclampsia (defined as occurrence of HELLP-syndrome or eclampsia) in carriers of the EPHX1 polymorphism encoding histidine.

CONCLUSIONS

Our data reveal a highly significant association of the NOS3I4a/b polymorphism with increased risk to develop preeclampsia in pregnancy. The shown association of EPXH1 polymorphism with the severity of preeclampsia strengthen the concept, that individual susceptibility determines the capability of the maternal organism to deal with the pregnancy derived agents causing preeclampsia.