The Lingering Impact of Preeclampsia on Women’s Health
A recent study published in the journal Hypertension highlights the potential long-term consequences of preeclampsia, specifically accelerated aging in women who have experienced this condition.
!Vesna Garovic, M.D., Ph.D.
Vesna Garovic, M.D., Ph.D.
Preeclampsia is a pregnancy complication characterized by high blood pressure, which can adversely affect the health of both mothers and babies. A growing body of research, led by Vesna Garovic, M.D., Ph.D., a Mayo Clinic nephrologist, has shown a link between preeclampsia and accelerated aging, potentially impacting a woman’s health long after pregnancy.
This study is the first to demonstrate that a history of preeclampsia is associated with increased concentrations of specific biomarkers indicative of cellular senescence.
Markers of Aging
Cellular senescence is a process where cells cease to divide but do not die. Instead, they remain in the body, releasing inflammatory molecules—a classic sign of aging.
!Previous studies have shown that women with a history of preeclampsia are at greater long-term risk for heart and kidney disease and are more likely to develop multiple chronic conditions. This accumulation of chronic conditions is associated with cellular senescence and aging.
Using data from the Rochester Epidemiology Project, researchers compared 40 women with a history of preeclampsia to a control group of 40 women who had normal blood pressure during their pregnancies and followed them for six years. They found evidence of increased cellular senescence in women with a history of preeclampsia based on an analysis of three biomarkers:
– Urinary a-Klotho: This protein is associated with longevity and protects against oxidative stress, a source of DNA damage, and aging-related diseases. Lower levels were found in the preeclampsia group.
– Leptin/adiponectin ratio: Higher ratios of these fat hormones, found in the preeclampsia group, are linked to metabolic disorders and accelerated aging. These hormones help regulate appetite and maintain energy balance in the body.
