LAUSR

OBJECTIVE To investigate the relationship between platelet-activating factor acetylhydrolase (PAF-AH) gene (PLA2G7) G994T (V279F, rs76863441) and R92H (rs1805017) polymorphisms and risk of preeclampsia (PE) in Chinese women. STUDY DESIGN This is a case-control study of 273 patients with PE and 530 healthy pregnant women. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES PLA2G7 genotypes were determined by polymerase chain reaction amplification and restriction analysis. Plasma PAF-AH, apolipoprotein (apo) B-containing lipoprotein-associated PAF-AH (apoB-PAF-AH), total high-density lipoprotein (HDL)-associated PAF-AH (H-PAF-AH), apoE-containing HDL-associated PAF-AH (apoE-H-PAF-AH) activities, and clinical, metabolic, and oxidative stress parameters were also analyzed. RESULTS The frequencies of the GT + TT genotype (14.7 versus 9.2%, P = 0.019) and T allele (7.5% versus 4.6%) of PLA2G7 G994T polymorphism were significantly higher in patients with PE than in the control subjects. The GT + TT genotypes remained a significant predictor for PE in a regression model including age, body mass index (BMI), plasma PAF-AH, H-PAF-AH, apoE-H-PAF-AH and apoB-PAF-AH activities as covariates (odds ratio (OR) = 4.926, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.707-14.219, P = 0.003). The ratio of apoB-PAF-AH to H-PAF-AH activities was significantly higher, while serum triglyceride levels were lower in patients with the GT genotype compared with patients with the GG genotype (P < 0.05). No significant differences were observed in the frequencies of the R92H genotype and allele between the PE and control groups. CONCLUSIONS The PLA2G7 G994T, but not R92H, genetic polymorphism is associated with the risk of PE in Chinese women.