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Published on: November 20, 2015
Absence of enhanced systemic inflammatory response at 18 weeks of gestation in women with subsequent pre-eclampsia
Srdjan Djurovic1, Torun Clausen, Ragnhild Wergeland
1Institute of Medical Genetics, University of Oslo, Norway.
Objective:
To compare indicators of systemic inflammatory response in the second trimester in women who developed pre-eclampsia with normal pregnancies.
Design:
Prospective nested case control study derived from a cohort of 2190 pregnant women. Blood samples were obtained at 18 weeks of gestation. The following inflammatory parameters were measured: tumour necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha), plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1), interleukin-1beta (IL-1beta), IL-6, IL-10, microCRP and tissue factor (TF).
Setting:
Institute of Medical Genetics, University of Oslo, and Department of Medical Genetics, Ullevål University Hospital and Departments of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Aker University Hospital, Oslo, Norway.
Sample:
The cases were 71 women who subsequently developed pre-eclampsia. The controls were 71 healthy, pregnant women matched for age, parity and first trimester body mass index (BMI).
Methods:
Venous blood was drawn from fasting subjects into 5 mL test tubes containing EDTA. Samples were analysed for inflammatory parameters: IL-1-beta, IL-6, IL-10, TNF-alpha, PAI-1, TF (ELISA-technique) and CRP (latex-enhanced immunonephelometric assay), strictly according to the manufacturer's recommendation.
Main Outcome Measures:
The matched case and control subjects were compared by the paired two-tailed Wilcoxon signed rank test. All P values were two-tailed and P < 0.05 was deemed statistically significant.
Results:
We found no differences in plasma concentrations of PAI-1, IL-1beta, IL-6,IL-10, microCRP, TNF-alpha or TF at 18 weeks of gestation between women who subsequently developed pre-eclampsia and matched control women.
Conclusion:
In contrast to findings from women with overt pre-eclampsia, the present study indicates that there are no indications of intensified systemic inflammatory response at 18 weeks of gestation in women who later develop pre-eclampsia.

