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Serum Levels of TNF-α and IL-6 Are Associated With Pregnancy-Induced Hypertension

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Abstract

Tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α) and interleukin 6 (IL-6) are proinflammatory cytokines and known to be involved in many pathological processes. However, the association between serum levels of TNF-α, IL-6, and pregnancy-induced hypertension (PIH) is unclear. The aim of the present study was to determine the serum levels of TNF-α and IL-6 and to investigate their potential correlation with PIH. In this study, the serum concentrations of TNF-α and IL-6 in pregnant women who developed PIH and normal pregnant women were measured. We found that the serum concentrations of TNF-α and IL-6 were significantly increased in the patients with PIH compared to the normal pregnant women. In addition, elevated TNF-α and IL-6 concentrations were associated with pathological complications. Moreover, in a hypoxia-induced PIH mice model, animals from the PIH group demonstrated higher TNF-a and IL-6 levels when compared to control, and serum TNF-α and IL-6 levels were positively correlated with right ventricular systolic blood pressure. Furthermore, TNF-α and IL-6 levels were decreased when the PIH mice were treated with remodulin compared to control group. In conclusion, our results suggested that high serum TNF-a and IL-6 levels are associated with PIH, and TNF-α and IL-6 might be potential predictors in the prognosis of PIH

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Shandong Provincial Hospital Affiliated to Shandong University, 324 Jingwu Road, Jinan 250021, Shandong, China

    Yuan Li MD, Yanyun Wang MD, Lei Li MD & Xietong Wang MD

  2. Zibo Central Hospital, Zibo, Shandong, China

    Yuan Li MD, Xiaoyan Ding MD & Bide Duan MD

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  1. Yuan Li MD
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  2. Yanyun Wang MD
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  3. Xiaoyan Ding MD
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  5. Lei Li MD
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  6. Xietong Wang MD
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Correspondence to Xietong Wang MD.

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Li, Y., Wang, Y., Ding, X. et al. Serum Levels of TNF-α and IL-6 Are Associated With Pregnancy-Induced Hypertension. Reprod. Sci. 23, 1402–1408 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1177/1933719116641760

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1177/1933719116641760

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