Tamblyn J, et al. - The researchers performed this study to ascertain whether a more comprehensive analysis of vitamin D metabolites earlier in pregnancy could provide predictors of preeclampsia (PET). With lower urinary vitamin D, 25-hydroxyvitamin D3 (25(OH)D3) and 24,25(OH)2D3 excretion being an early indicator of a predisposition towards developing PET, analysis of urinary metabolites provided an additional insight into vitamin D and the kidney.

Methods

• The researchers quantified multiple vitamin D metabolites by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry in paired serum and urine prior to the onset of PET symptoms using samples from the SCOPE pregnancy cohort.
• They analyzed samples from 50 women at pregnancy week 15, with 25 (50%) developing PET by the end of the pregnancy and 25 continuing with uncomplicated pregnancy.
• Further, they used paired serum and urine from non-pregnant women (n=9) of reproductive age as a control.

Results

• The researchers measured serum concentrations of 25(OH)D3, 25(OH)D2, 1,25(OH)2D3, 24,25(OH)2D3, and 3-epi-25(OH)D3.
• No significant difference was observed between women with uncomplicated pregnancies and those developing PET.
• As previously reported, higher serum 1,25(OH)2D3 was found in all pregnant women (in the second trimester), but serum 25(OH)D2 was also higher compared to non-pregnant women.
• With both metabolites demonstrating significantly lower (p < 0.05) concentrations of both of the metabolites in those destined to develop PET, 25(OH)D3 and 24,25(OH)2D3 were quantifiable in urine.