Changes in serum concentrations of tumor necrosis factor alpha and adhesion molecules in normal pregnant women and those with pregnancy-induced hypertension.

Abstract

To study whether serum tumor necrosis factor alpha gene (TNFalpha) and adhesion molecule levels are indicators of the onset of pregnancy-induced hypertension (PIH), we compared levels of these molecules between normal pregnant women and PIH patients from the first to the third trimester. We serially measured serum concentrations of TNFalpha, soluble intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (sICAM-1), soluble E-selectin (sE-selectin), soluble vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (sVCAM-1) and soluble P-selectin (sP-selectin) using enzyme immunoassay kits in 10 normal pregnant women and 10 pregnant women who developed PIH late in gestation. Serum TNFalpha, sICAM-1 and sE-selectin levels in PIH affected women were significantly higher from the first trimester compared with those in normal pregnancy. sVCAM-1 and sP-selectin levels were not significantly changed. Serum TNFalpha, sE-selectin and sICAM-1 levels might be effective indicators of the onset of PIH.