Comparative analysis of plasma betatrophin levels with placental dysfunction in preeclamptic pregnancies: A histopathological and biochemical study

Objective: This study compared plasma betatrophin levels and placental morphological and histopathological changes between preeclamptic and normotensive pregnancies. Material and Methods: This cross-sectional study included 90 pregnant women recruited at LUMHS Jamshoro, equally divided into preeclamptic and normotensive groups. Researchers assessed four gross placental parameters: weight, volume, thickness, and number of cotyledons. Histological evaluation focused on identifying syncytial knots, cytotrophoblast proliferation, hypovascular villi, and villous necrosis. Plasma betatrophin levels were measured using a sandwich ELISA method. Data were analyzed using SPSS v22, with statistical significance set at p < 0.05. Results: Histopathological and gross examination revealed that preeclamptic placentas had significantly lower weight, thickness, and volume, and demonstrated more frequent pathological changes (p < 0.005). Syncytial knots, cytotrophoblast proliferation, and villous necrosis were notably more common among preeclamptic patients (p < 0.01). Mean plasma betatrophin levels were significantly higher in women with preeclampsia (1.71 ± 0.06 µg/L) than in normotensive controls (1.66 ± 0.10 µg/L; p = 0.008), correlating with the extent of placental abnormalities. Conclusion: Women with preeclampsia exhibited higher plasma betatrophin levels along with significant placental structural and histological abnormalities compared to normotensive controls. Keywords: ANGPTL8, Betatrophin, Histopathology, Placental dysfunction, Preeclampsia