Enzymatic and Non-enzymatic Biomarkers Levels in Pregnancy Trimesters in Ilesa South Western Nigeria

Aims: The aim of this study was to see the effect of pregnancy on some selected enzymatic and non-enzymatic biomarkers based on trimesters.

Study Design: One-factor, one control - three test group quasi - experimental design.

Place and Duration of Study: Department of Chemical Pathology, Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospitals Complex, Wesley Guild Hospital Unit, Ilesa, Osun State, Nigeria, between September 2015 and April 2016.

Methodology: A total of eighty (80) subjects were recruited for the study, and were grouped into 1st trimester pregnant women (n=20), 2nd trimester pregnant women (n=20), 3rd trimester pregnant women (n=20), and non-pregnant women (n=20). Blood samples (10 mL venous blood) were collected, centrifuged and stored as plasma before subjection to biochemical analysis. Blood plasma was analyzed for enzymatic and non-enzymatic biomarkers using standard approved methods.

Results: This study revealed that from first to third trimester, the following biomarkers: CK (creatine-kinase), LDH (lactate dehydrogenase), GGT (gamma-glutamyl transferase), AMY (amylase), TRP (troponin), CRP (c-reactive protein), MYO (myoglobin), AFP (alphafetoprotein), CB (conjugated bilirubin), and UR (urea) progressively increased while AST (aspartate aminotransferase), ALT (alanine aminotransferase), ALP (alkaline phosphatase), TB (total bilirubin), CR (creatinine), Na+ (sodium),and K+ (potassium) gradually decreases respectively. TP (total protein), and ALB (albumin), decreases in first and second trimester before rising in the third trimester of pregnancy. Moreover, in statistical analysis of the pregnancy trimesters with non pregnant women, ALP, AMY, TRP, MYO, and AFP were significantly increased while UR was significantly decreased in first trimester comparison with control subjects. In second trimester of pregnancy, CK, LDH, ALP, AMY, TRP, CRP, MYO, and AFP, were significantly elevated while UR was significantly decreased when compared to non pregnant subjects. In third trimester of pregnancy, CK, LDH, ALP, GGT, AMY, TRP, CRP, MYO, AFP, and CB were significantly raised while Na+ was significantly reduced when compared to the non pregnant women. Other biomarkers investigated with controls has differences that were statistically non significant.

Conclusion: Pregnancy irrespective of the trimester exerts positive influence on both enzymatic and non enzymatic biomarkers, which when investigated during pregnancy prevent pregnancy associated medical complications and gives improved antenatal care for safe delivery of a healthy baby by healthy mother.