Levels of Endocan in Umbilical Cord Blood Samples of Pregnant Females With Intrauterine Growth Retardation

Study Overview
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Brief Summary
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As a proteoglycan secreted from endothelial cells, expression, and secretion of endocan increases in the endothelium of several tissues secondary to inflammation. It can be regarded as an indicator of endothelial damage. Besides, it is both a target and a modulator of the vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) signaling pathway. Considering its action mechanisms, it can provide information about angiogenesis, inflammation, and vascular permeability. It is known that intrauterine growth retardation mainly occurs as a result of endothelial dysfunction and abnormal angiogenesis in the placenta. In previous studies, maternal serum endocan levels have also been shown to be increased in cases of preeclampsia, which is mainly characterized by placental dysfunction.So, we hypothesize that there may be an association between endocan levels and intrauterine growth retardation.

Detailed Description
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Endocan is a proteoglycan that is closely associated with inflammation. Its levels increase in association with the severity of endothelial damage. Endothelial dysfunction and abnormal angiogenesis in the placental tissues are the main pathophysiological mechanisms leading to intrauterine growth retardation. It has been known that there was a significant association between maternal serum levels of endocan and preeclampsia. In cases with preeclampsia, increased serum levels of endocan in maternal blood samples has been reported. Intrauterine growth retardation is a situation in which endothelial dysfunction and abnormal angiogenesis are the leading disturbances. In fetuses with intrauterine growth retardation, a hypoxic environment secondary to uteroplacental insufficiency. In previous studies, increased levels of endocan in maternal blood samples have been shown. Although maternal blood can be a good reflector of situations both in fetuses and their mothers, measurement of endocan in umbilical cord blood samples may better represent the pathology in fetuses.

Official Title
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Comparison of Umbilical Cord Blood Levels of Endocan in Pregnant Females With and Without Intrauterine Growth Retardation

Conditions
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Intrauterine Retardation

Intervention / Treatment
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* Diagnostic Test: endocan in umbilical cord blood


Participation Criteria
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Eligibility Criteria
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Inclusion Criteria: For intrauterine growth retardation group: consent to participate study detection of intrauterine growth retardation during follow up of pregnancy For healthy fetuses group: consent to participate study absence of intrauterine growth retardation during follow up of pregnancy Exclusion Criteria: multiple pregnancy presence of major developmental anomalies of fetuses detection of chromosomal anomalies malnourished mothers vegetarian diet of mothers use of cigarette and alcohol during pregnancy previous history of stillbirths

Ages Eligible for Study
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Minimum Age: 18 Years
Maximum Age: 35 Years

Sexes Eligible for Study
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Female

Accepts Healthy Volunteers
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Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Study Plan
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How is the study designed?
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Arms and Interventions

| Participant Group/Arm | Intervention/Treatment |
| --- | --- |
| intrauterine growth retardation<br>Blood samples are going to be taken from the umbilical cord of the fetuses. Levels of endocan (endothelial cell specific molecule 1) in the samples of umbilical cord blood are going to be measured using human endocan ELISA kits. | Diagnostic Test: endocan in umbilical cord blood<br>* After taking blood samples from the umbilical cord, centrifugation is applied to all samples for 15 minutes at 1000 rpm. The serum samples with specific identification numbers are going to be stored at -80 °C. After completing the study group, all serum samples will be analyzed using human endocan ELISA kit for the measurement of endocan levels.<br>|
| healthy fetuses<br>Blood samples are going to be taken from the umbilical cord of healthy fetuses without intrauterine growth retardation. Levels of endocan (endothelial cell specific molecule 1) in the samples of umbilical cord blood are going to be measured using human endocan ELISA kits. | Diagnostic Test: endocan in umbilical cord blood<br>* After taking blood samples from the umbilical cord, centrifugation is applied to all samples for 15 minutes at 1000 rpm. The serum samples with specific identification numbers are going to be stored at -80 °C. After completing the study group, all serum samples will be analyzed using human endocan ELISA kit for the measurement of endocan levels.<br>|

What is the study measuring?
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Primary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| endocan in umbilical cord blood | levels of endothelial cell specific molecule 1 (ng/ml) in umbilical cord blood | just after delivery of fetus at clamping of umbilical cord | 

 Terms related to the study
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Keywords Provided by Centre Hospitalier Valida
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intrauterine growth retardation, umbilical cord blood, proteoglycans, pregnancy outcomes