Korean J Obstet Gynecol.  2001 Dec;44(12):2217-2223.

Relationships between TNF-alpha and fetal growth restriction in preeclamptic women and normotensive pregnancies

• Kim SR
• Lee PR
• Park JW
• Jung BK
• Chung JY
• Won HS
• Lee IS
• Kim A

Abstract

OBJECTIVES
The purposes of this study were to evaluate the possible role of Tumor necrotic factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) in development of preeclampsia, and to define the alteration of plasma TNF-alpha concentration in association with fetal growth restriction in preeclamptic women.
METHODS
Maternal blood samples were retrieved from 10 normal pregnancies, 10 pregnancies complicated with small for gestational age neonate of unknown cause, 10 preeclampsia with fetal growth restriction, and 10 preeclampsia without fetal growth restriction. The concentrations of TNF-alpha were measured by ELISA.
RESULTS
The plasma concentrations of TNF-alpha were significantly increased in preeclamptic women (p<0.05). However, there were no major differences in relation to fetal growth restriction. In idiopathic SGA group, the cytokine levels were significantly decreased compared to normal pregnancy (p<0.05).
CONCLUSIONS
The increased concentrations of maternal plasma TNF-alpha in preeclamptic women suggest that preeclampsia may be an immunologic disorder. Though TNF-alpha influences on the fetal growth, it may not play a major role in the pathophysiology of fetal growth restriction in preeclampsia.

Keyword

TNF-alpha; cytokines; preeclampsia; small-for-gestational age; fetal growth restriction

MeSH Terms

Cytokines
Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay
Female
Fetal Development*
Gestational Age
Humans
Infant, Newborn
Plasma
Pre-Eclampsia
Pregnancy*
Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha*
Cytokines
Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha