Serum Spexin, Kisspeptin-1, Substance P, and Neurokinin-1 Receptor Levels in Hyperemesis Gravidarum: A Prospective Paired Follow-Up Study

Hyperemesis gravidarum (HG) is characterized by severe nausea and vomiting during pregnancy and may adversely affect both maternal health and fetal development. This study aimed to investigate serum spexin, kisspeptin-1, substance P, and neurokinin-1 receptor levels, which were hypothesized to be associated with HG. The study was conducted among pregnant women who applied to the Gynecology and Obstetrics Outpatient Clinic of Sivas Cumhuriyet University Faculty of Medicine. A total of 41 pregnant women diagnosed with HG were included. Serum samples were collected from the same participants during the acute HG period and again during the symptom-resolved follow-up period at 20–30 weeks of gestation. Venous blood samples of 4 mL were obtained, and serum spexin, kisspeptin-1, substance P, and neurokinin-1 receptor levels were measured using the ELISA method. No significant differences were observed in serum spexin, kisspeptin-1, substance P, or neurokinin-1 receptor levels between the acute HG period and the symptom-resolved follow-up period (p>0.05). However, significant correlations were detected among these proteins. These findings suggest that serum spexin, kisspeptin-1, substance P, and neurokinin-1 receptor levels were not significantly associated with HG in the present study. Further prospective studies, particularly those including gestational-age-matched healthy pregnant controls, are needed to better clarify the possible roles of these proteins in HG and other pregnancy-related complications.