Serum soluble Fas in the syndrome of hemolysis, elevated liver enzymes, and low platelets.

OBJECTIVE

To assess whether serum levels of soluble Fas and soluble Fas ligand are altered in the syndrome of hemolysis, elevated liver enzymes, and low platelets (HELLP).

METHODS

Serum samples from 22 pregnant women diagnosed with HELLP syndrome were compared with sera from 37 healthy women with noncomplicated singleton pregnancies. Serum levels of soluble Fas and soluble Fas ligands were determined by enzyme immunoassay. Student t, chi(2), Pearson's correlation coefficient, and multiple regression tests were used for statistical analyses.

RESULTS

Both soluble Fas and soluble Fas ligand were detected in the sera of normal pregnancies as well as in those with HELLP syndrome. The mean serum level of soluble Fas was significantly higher in women with HELLP syndrome than in healthy gravidas (10.75 +/- 0.93 versus 5.81 +/- 0.37 U/mL, P <.001). However, there was no significant difference in mean serum soluble Fas ligand levels of the two groups (0.60 +/- 0.06 compared with 0.50 +/- 0.22 ng/mL, P =.23). In women with HELLP syndrome, there were no significant correlations between serum levels of soluble Fas or soluble Fas ligand with liver transaminases (aspartate and alanine aminotransferase) and platelet count.

CONCLUSION

Serum levels of soluble Fas, but not soluble Fas ligand, are significantly higher in women with HELLP syndrome than healthy gravidas. The source of elevated serum levels of soluble Fas in HELLP syndrome remains to be determined.