Related Experiment Videos
Systemic inflammatory indices in pre-eclampsia and eclampsia.
R S Bowen1, J Moodley, M F Dutton
1Department of Physiology, University of Natal Medical School, Durban, South Africa.
Summary
Tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) and related markers were investigated in pre-eclampsia. Results indicate that these markers do not effectively distinguish pre-eclampsia from normal pregnancy, despite altered neutrophil counts.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Obstetrics
- Biochemistry
Background:
- Pre-eclampsia is a pregnancy complication associated with immune and endothelial dysfunction.
- Tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha), TNFp55 receptor, soluble intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (sICAM-1), myeloperoxidase (MPO), and soluble L-selectin (sL-selectin) are potential biomarkers for immune activation and endothelial cell activation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate TNF-alpha, TNFp55 receptor, sICAM-1, MPO, and sL-selectin as markers of immune and endothelial activation in pre-eclampsia.
- To determine if these markers can differentiate between normal pregnancy, pre-eclampsia, and eclampsia.
Main Methods:
- A cross-sectional study involving non-pregnant controls, normal pregnant controls, pre-eclamptic, and eclamptic women.
- Measurement of serum concentrations of TNF-alpha, sTNFp55 receptor, sICAM-1, sL-selectin, MPO, leucocyte count, neutrophil count, C-reactive protein, and gamma-glutamyl transferase.
Main Results:
- Neutrophil count was significantly lower in pre-eclampsia compared to normal pregnancy.
- Serum sL-selectin concentrations were significantly higher in non-pregnant controls than in all pregnant groups.
- Serum concentrations of TNF-alpha, sTNFp55 receptor, sICAM-1, sL-selectin, and MPO did not differ significantly between pre-eclamptic and normal pregnancies and did not discriminate between these groups.
Conclusions:
- The studied biomarkers (TNF-alpha, TNFp55 receptor, sICAM-1, MPO, sL-selectin) are not effective discriminators of pre-eclampsia from normal pregnancy.
- Elevated neutrophil counts in normal and eclamptic pregnancies, with lower sL-selectin, suggest increased neutrophil activity in inflammatory states during pregnancy.