Metabolomic Markers for Predicting Preeclampsia in the First Trimester of Pregnancy: A Retrospective Study

We sought to identify the characteristic metabolite profile of blood plasma samples obtained from patients with preeclampsia. Direct high-resolution mass spectrometry was used to analyze samples from 79 pregnant women, 34 of whom had preeclampsia. We performed a comparative analysis of the metabolite profiles and found that they differed between pregnant women with and without preeclampsia. Lipids and sugars were identified as components of the metabolite profile that are likely to be associated with the development of preeclampsia. While PE was established only in the third trimester, a set of metabolites specific for the third trimester, including 2-(acetylamino)-1,5-anhydro-2-deoxy-4-O-b-D-galactopyranosyl-D-arabino-Hex-1-enitol, N-Acetyl-D-glucosaminyldiphosphodolichol, Cer(d18:0/20:0), and allolithocholic acid, was already traced in the first trimester. These components are also likely involved in lipid metabolism disorders and the development of oxidative stress.

Automated summary

This study aimed to identify the characteristic metabolite profile of blood plasma samples from patients with preeclampsia. Direct high-resolution mass spectrometry was used to analyze samples from 79 pregnant women, 34 of whom had preeclampsia. Comparative analysis of the metabolite profiles revealed differences between pregnant women with and without preeclampsia. Lipids and sugars were identified as components likely associated with the development of preeclampsia. Furthermore, specific metabolites for the third trimester were already present in the first trimester, indicating their potential involvement in lipid metabolism disorders and oxidative stress development.