Objective: Wnt signaling has been identified as an essential pathway that can direct cell proliferation, migration, and tissue homeostasis. This study aimed to evaluate the role of Wnt signaling pathway in early-onset and late-onset preeclampsia (PE) using serum Dickkopf-1 and R-Spondin-3 glycoproteins.
Study design: A total of 80 pregnant women were included in this study. The patients were divided into three groups: (1) control (2) early-onset PE, and (3) late-onset PE. The serum levels of Dickkopf-1 and R-Spondin-3 were measured using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.
Results: Of the 80 pregnant women enrolled in the study, 27 were control, 27 had early-onset PE, and 26 had late-onset PE. No differences were found in the maternal age, gravida, parity, and body mass index among the groups (P = 0.536, 0.230, 0.202, and 0.642, respectively). The serum level of Dickkopf-1 was significantly higher in the early-onset PE group compared with the control group (P = 0.006). The serum level of Dickkopf-1 was statistically similar in control group compared to late-onset PE group (P = 0.064). However, no significant difference was found in the serum levels of Dickkopf-1 and R-Spondin-3 between the early- and late-onset PE groups (P > 0.05). Additionally, the Spearman's correlation analysis revealed a significant negative correlation between maternal serum level of Dickkopf-1 and maternal age (r = - 0.522, P = 0.005).
Conclusion: The increased serum level of Dickkopf-1 might be associated with the process of pathogenesis of early-onset PE. Further studies would elucidate their exact roles in the pathogenesis of PE.
Keywords: Dickkopf-1; Early-onset preeclampsia; Late-onset preeclampsia; R-Spondin-3; Wnt signaling pathway.