Expression Levels and Significance of Gal-1 in Peripheral Blood and Placental Tissues of Pregnant Women with Fetal Growth Restriction.

OBJECTIVE

To study the expression levels and significance of Gal-1 in the peripheral blood and placental tissues of pregnant women with fetal growth restriction (FGR).

METHODS

Sixty samples were collected, including 30 early-onset FGR patients and 30 late-onset FGR patients from Xuzhou Maternity and Child Health Hospital. Thirty normal delivery puerperas served as controls. Clinical information such as parity, age, and BMI was analyzed. Five milliliters of cubital vein blood was drawn for serum Gal-1 detection via ELISA. Placental and fetal membrane tissues (1.0cm×1.0cm×0.5cm) were collected post-delivery for Gal-1 mRNA measurement using RT-PCR and for protein expression analysis via immunohistochemistry.

RESULTS

No significant differences were observed in parity, age, or BMI among the three groups (P>0.05). The gestational age in the early-onset FGR group was significantly lower than both the late-onset FGR and control groups (P<0.05). Serum Gal-1 levels were significantly higher in both FGR groups compared to controls (control: 105.344±17.178; early-onset FGR: 129.112±19.956; late-onset FGR: 118.773±18.908; P<0.05), with early-onset FGR showing the highest levels. In placental tissues, Gal-1 mRNA levels were significantly decreased in FGR groups versus controls (P<0.05), while Gal-1 were increased in Immunohistochemistry analysis.

CONCLUSION

Decreased Gal-1 expression in placental tissues and elevated serum Gal-1 levels may be associated with the development of FGR, particularly in early-onset cases, highlighting the potential role of Gal-1 as a biomarker in this condition.