Expressions of VCAM1 and NF-κB in placenta of patients with intrahepatic cholestasis during pregnancy and their significance

Objective To investigate the expressions vascular endothelial cell adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1) and nuclear factor (NF-κB) in placenta of patients with intrahepatic cholestasis during pregnancy and their significance. Methods The clinical data of 80 patients with intrahepatic cholestasis during pregnancy (an observation group) and 60 normal pregnant women (a control group) hospitalized into our hospital from May, 2017 to September, 2018 were retrospectively analyzed. The levels of VCAM1 and NF-κB in the two groups were measured. Their expressions in placenta were analyzed. Results The positive rates of NF-κB and VCAM-1 were higher in the observation group than in the control group [71.25% (57/80) vs. 25.00% (15/60) and 67.50% (54/80) vs. 21.67% (13/60)], with statistical differences (both P<0.05). Spearman grade correlation analysis showed that there was a positive correlation between VCAM-1 and NF-κB (r=0.592, P=0.000). Conclusion VCAM-1 and NF-κB in the placenta of patients with intrahepatic cholestasis during pregnancy increase, and positively correlate with each other. It is speculated that the increase of NF-κB activation promotes the expression of VCAM-1. Key words: Intrahepatic cholestasis during pregnancy; Placental tissue; Vascular endothelial cell adhesion molecule-1; Nuclear factor-κB