[Endothelial dysfunction and injury of placental and umbilical vessels in pregnancy-induced hypertension is associated with tumor necrosis factor].
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the relation between endothelial dysfunction and injury of placental and umbilical vessels in pregnancy-induced hypertension (PIH) and tumor necrosis factor (TNF).


METHODS
The concentration of plasma TNF, endothelin (ET) and nitric oxide (NO) in PIH women and normal pregnant women (control group) were measured. The ultrastructure of placenta and umbilical vein endothelial cells in PIH and normal pregnant women was observed. The ultrastructure of endothelial cells in culture with TNF (400 u/ml) was also observed.


RESULTS
Maternal plasma TNF and ET levels in PIH patients were (2.27 +/- 0.42) micrograms/L and (73.31 +/- 9.98) ng/L, respectively, higher than that in the control [TNF and ET lever were (1.72 +/- 0.25) micrograms/L and (2.32 +/- 10.44) ng/L, respectively]. NO level in PIH patients was (104.93 +/- 20.54) mumol/L, lower than that in the control [NO lever was (138.25 +/- 22.16) mumol/L] (P < 0.05). The ultrastructure of placental and umbilical vascular endothelial cells in moderate and severe PIH patients revealed injured. Similar injury was observed in endothelial cells in culture with TNF.


CONCLUSIONS
TNF can induce the endothelial cells dysfunction and injury. It may be involved the pathogenesis of PIH.
Yang
J
J
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, First Affiliated Hospital, Hubei Medical University, Wuhan 430060, China.
Xu
W
W
Xie
Q
Q
D000328:Adult; D016232:Endothelins / Q000097:blood; D004730:Endothelium, Vascular / Q000473:pathology* / Q000502:physiology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000097:blood / Q000209:etiology*; D009569:Nitric Oxide / Q000097:blood; D010920:Placenta / Q000098:blood supply*; D011247:Pregnancy; D011249:Pregnancy Complications, Cardiovascular / Q000097:blood / Q000209:etiology*; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / Q000502:physiology*; D014470:Umbilical Cord / Q000648:ultrastructure*
D016232:Endothelins; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha; D009569:Nitric Oxide