[Study on tumor necrosis factor and pathogenesis of pregnancy induced hypertension].
OBJECTIVE
To study the role of tumor necrosis factor (TNF-alpha) in the pathogenesis of pregnancy induced hypertension (PIH).


METHODS
Radioimmunoassay was used to measure the levels of TNF-alpha in 25 severe PIH patients and 25 normal pregnant women. Umbilical vein endothelial cells were cultured with TNF-alpha (500 U/ml) or without TNF-alpha. The concentration of endothelin-1 (ET-1), 6-ket-PGF1 alpha, nitrite (NO2-), expression of fibronectin(FN) and white blood cells adhesion to the surface of endothelial cells test were measured.


RESULTS
The levels of TNF-alpha in serum of severe PIH patients were significantly higher than that of normal pregnant women (P < 0.05). In endothelium culture supernatant with TNF-alpha group, synthesis of ET-1, NO2- and 6-ket-PGF1 alpha increased, expression of FN on the surface of endothelial cells decreased, white blood cells adhesion to endothelial cells increased. There was significant difference between TNF-alpha group and control group.


CONCLUSIONS
TNF-alpha may be involved in the pathogenesis of PIH.
Li
K
K
Thrid Affiliated Hospital of Norman Bethune University of Medical Sciences, Changchun 130031.
Wang
L
L
Tong
X
X
D015121:6-Ketoprostaglandin F1 alpha / Q000378:metabolism; D000328:Adult; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D019332:Endothelin-1 / Q000378:metabolism; D004730:Endothelium, Vascular / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D011225:Pre-Eclampsia / Q000097:blood / Q000209:etiology*; D011247:Pregnancy; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000494:pharmacology; D014471:Umbilical Veins / Q000166:cytology*
D019332:Endothelin-1; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha; D015121:6-Ketoprostaglandin F1 alpha