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

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.