D3. Early prediction of preeclampsia risk assessment: analytical determination for marinobufagenin in pregnant women.

INTRODUCTION: Marinobufagenin (MBG), an endogenous bufadienolide cardiac inotrope, is responsible for vasoconstriction and natriuresis [1,2]. Growing interest by its implication in volume expansion mediated hypertensive states such as essential hypertension, congestive heart failure, chronic renal failure, primary aldosterism and preeclampsia (PE). Elevated endogenous MBG levels have been described early in preeclamptic patients [2-5].

AIMS: To develop a specific and sensitive analytical MBG assay with special attention for the limit of quantification (LOQ). An algorithm dealing with the MBG plasma levels might be established in the future, in order to help for prediction of the risk for preeclampsia in pregnant women.

METHOD: A LC-MS/MS based assay designed to determine MBG in human plasma is being optimized. The obtained LOQ fully satisfies the need for quantification of MBG plasma levels in pregnancy (nmol/L range). After a validation process, a primary observational clinical study will allow us to confirm previous results observed in preeclampsia.

RESULTS AND DISCUSSION: We had the opportunity to authenticate the presence of MBG by LC-MS/MS in non-pregnant and in early-pregnant women. These pioneering preliminary results that are giving a promising perspective for early preeclampsia risk assessment in pregnant women will be confirmed with the clinical study.