The role of serum podocalyxin levels in recurrent pregnancy loss

Objective: To measure serum levels of podocalyxin (PODXL) in recurrent miscarriages as a marker of vascular endothelial dysfunction. Study design: In this case-control study, women who were hospitalized for singleton first-trimester pregnancy terminations due to missed abortion, anembryonic pregnancy, and inevitable abortion were included. There were 24 patients who were admitted for the first pregnancy termination, 39 patients who were admitted for recurrent pregnancy loss (RPL), and 25 fetal cardiac activity positive patients as the control group. Demographic features, medical and obstetric histories were recorded. The measurements of serum PODXL were done by a human enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay kit. Results: Serum PODXL levels were found to be significantly higher in the RPL group than the control group and the first time miscarriage group (13.82 [10.09-113.54] vs. 11.78 [9.25-48.80], p = 0.016 and 13.82 [10.09-113.54] vs. 11.99 [8.20-20.47], p = 0.003; respectively). Serum PODXL levels were not statistically significantly different between the first miscarriage and the control group (p = 0.62). There were positive correlation between serum PODXL levels and the number of gravida and the number of miscarriages (r = 0.217, p = 0.042, and r = 0.291, p = 0.006; respectively). Conclusion: Recurrent miscarriage patients had higher serum levels of PODXL than both normal pregnancies and first-time miscarriages. Our results suggest that maternal endothelial dysfunction might have a role in recurrent pregnancy losses. (C) 2021 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Automated summary

This study aimed to measure serum levels of PODXL in recurrent miscarriages as a marker of vascular endothelial dysfunction. The results showed that recurrent miscarriage patients had higher levels of serum PODXL compared to normal pregnancies and first-time miscarriages. Additionally, there was a positive correlation between serum PODXL levels and the number of pregnancies and miscarriages.