Abstract:

Preeclampsia is a pregnancy-specific disorder that severely threatens the maternal and fetal health, with a complex pathogenesis. Iron is indispensable for maintaining normal physiological functions, participating in oxygen transport, energy metabolism, and the synthesis of various enzymes. Abnormal serum iron levels can trigger a series of physiological disorders. Ferroptosis is a novel type of iron-dependent programmed cell death and characterized by lipid peroxidation. Studies have found that in patients with preeclampsia, exhibiting dysregulated serum iron metabolism and an increase in serum iron levels. This process may lead to damage to placental trophoblasts cells and vascular endothelial cells by inducing ferroptosis, resulting in insufficient trophoblast cell invasion and impaired remodeling of uterine spiral arteries, which ultimately impairs placental function and leads to adverse pregnancy outcomes. Abnormal serum iron metabolism and ferroptosis may represent key mechanisms in preeclampsia pathogenesis. Further investigation of the specific mechanisms is expected to provide novel insights and therapeutic targets for the early diagnosis, condition monitoring, and treatment of preeclampsia.

Key words: Iron, Ferroptosis, Pre-eclampsia, Lipid peroxidation, Inflammation, Oxidative stress