2013 Hypertens Pregnancy, 2014; 33(1): 15–30 ! Informa Healthcare USA, Inc. ISSN: 1064-1955 print / 1525-6065 online DOI: 10.3109/10641955.2013.828067 ORIGINAL ARTICLE LPL Ser447Ter and Asn291Ser variants in Romanians: associations with preeclampsia – implications on lipid profile and prognosis Lucia Maria Procopciuc, 1 Florin Stamatian, 2 and Gabriela Caracostea 2 1 Department of Medical Biochemistry, and 2 Department of Gynecology Clinic I, ‘‘Iuliu Hatieganu’’ University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Cluj-Napoca, Romania Objectives: To investigate the role of LPL-Ser447Ter and Asn291Ser polymorphisms in the predisposition to different types of preeclampsia, as well as the contribution to the lipid profile and the prognosis of preeclampsia. Methods: 125 women with preeclampsia and 131 normal pregnant women were genetically screened using PCR-restriction enzyme analysis. Results: We found an increased risk for mild and severe preeclampsia in carriers of the negative Ser447/Ser447 genotype. An increased risk for severe preeclampsia in carriers of the Asn291Ser polymorphism was seen. In mild and severe preeclampsia, carriers of the negative Ser447/Ser447 genotype had increased TG and LDL-C levels and decreased HDL-C levels as compared with carriers of the Ser447Ter polymorphism. The presence of the Asn291Ser polymorphism influenced the higher TG and LDL-C levels and the lower HDL-C levels in mild preeclampsia and the higher TG and LDL-C levels in severe preeclampsia. Women with severe preeclampsia, carriers of the Ser447/Ser447 genotype and women with mild preeclampsia, carriers of the Asn291Ser polymorphism, delivered at a lower gestational age neonates with a lower birth weight compared to women carriers of this polymorphism. Conclusions: The LPL variants are associated with severe preeclampsia and influence the lipid profile and pregnancy outcome in mild and severe preeclampsia. Keywords Lipoproteins, Ser447Ter , Asn291Ser , PCR-RFLP, Lipid profile, Preeclamp- sia. INTRODUCTION Lipoprotein lipase (LPL) represents one of the components of the lipase gene family, along with pancreatic lipase (PL), hepatic lipase (HL) and endothelium lipase (EL) (1). It plays a role in the metabolism of chylomicrons and VLDL, catalyzing the hydrolysis of TG and providing free fatty acids and glycerol Correspondence: Stamatian Florin, Department of Gynecology Clinic I, ‘‘Iuliu Hatieganu’’ University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Cluj-Napoca, Romania. E-mail: stamatianflorin2012@yahoo.com, florin_stamatian@yahoo.com