Association of Renalase levels in healthy pregnant females with increased Body Mass Index (BMI).
Muhammad Saad Ahmad
502923

Introduction
Renalase is a flavoprotein which participates in catecholamine metabolism. Its gene expression is maximum in kidneys but it is also found in the heart, skeletal muscle and the liver.(1) This enzyme is expressed in oocytes, granulosa, interstitial and luteal cells of ovary. It plays a vital role in maturation of germ cells. It was initially identified in kidney as a soluble monoamine oxidase and is a marker for renal function. Knockout mice developed hypertension and were found to be more sensitive to cardiac and renal ischemic injury (2) but their plasma blood urea nitrogen, creatinine and aldosterone levels
Body mass index is used to know whether our weight is affecting our health. Body mass and body height is required for the measurement of Body Mass Index. Body mass is measured on a medical scale to the nearest 0.05 kg. Body mass index is calculated by dividing body mass by the square root of the body height. Height is measured in meters and weight is measured in kilograms. BMI below 18.5 is underweight and above 30 is overweight. By using Body Mass Index, a person is classified into different categories like underweight, normal weight and obese. Body mass index is used by many researchers as a factor in their research, as we are using it in
Summary of articles used. Study type Population Key findings Reference 1) Case Control Study 12,563 genes were derived from 77 different human cDNA libraries. In this study Renalase was found to be a secretory protein. Human plasma was examined and this enzyme was detected. In this study, they examined the blood levels of renalase in patients with chronic renal disease and decreased renal function. Renalese was undetectable in their blood. Xu J et al.(1)

2) Animal trials Wild type (n=11)
Knock out (n=9) It was found out that renalase deficiency aggravates ischemic myocardial damage. The degree of myocardial necrosis was increased in renalase KO hearts Wu Y et al.(3)

3) Representative study Arbitrary Units (n=3) Increase in catecholamine levels upregulate the activity, secretion, and synthesis of renalase which specifically degrades circulating catecholamines. Li G et al.(4)

4) Animal trials The mice were divided into four groups: male control group, male GnRH antagonist group, female control group and female GnRH antagonist group (n = 4–6/group) Renalase levels were found to be increased during pregnancy. Renalase was expressed in several glands and organs e.g. Liver, spleen and the skeletal muscles. Zhou M et