Effect of Different Doses of Vitamin A on β-HCG Production in Patients Suffering from Gestational Trophoblastic Disease

Background and Objective: Gestational trophoblastic disease (GTD) is a type of disease which is characterized by increased production of B-HCG by placental cells. Increased β-HCG production is due to increased proliferation of beta cells and lack of apoptosis. If left untreated, it can lead to malignancy. Almost ۳۰-۵۰ of GTD progresses to gestational trophoblastic neoplasia (GTN) in women over ۴۰ years old. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of vitamin A doses (۱۰۰,۰۰۰ IU and ۲۰۰,۰۰۰ IU) on the decrement of β-HCG levels. Materials and Methods: The study included three groups: two patients and one control, and each group contained ۲۲ individuals. Two groups of patients (A and B) received ۱۰۰,۰۰۰ IU and ۲۰۰,۰۰۰ IU doses of vitamin A, respectively, in addition to suction curettage. β-HCG levels were then measured by radioimmunoassay (RIA). Results: The β-HCG drop-in group B, which received ۲۰۰,۰۰۰ IU of vitamin A, was higher than that of group A. It was significant in the third and fourth weeks after the treatment compared to the control group. There was also a significant relationship between the three groups in terms of Gravid (P<۰.۰۰۱). All the patients were followed up for ۶ months. Conclusion: Considering that in the long run, the dose of ۲۰۰,۰۰۰ IU compared to the dose of ۱۰۰,۰۰۰ IU of vitamin A did not significantly reduce the B-HCG, therefore, in order to prevent the complications of high doses, the single dose of ۱۰۰,۰۰۰ IU was used for GTD patients.

Keywords:

Gestational trophoblastic disease (GTD) , β-HCG , Gravid , Parity , Vitamin A