Evaluation of Some Cytokines and Gene Expressions in Pre-eclampsia

Preeclampsia(PE) is adisordercharacterized byhypertensionandproteinuria. There is accumulating evidence that this is a disease of the endothelium. Angiogenic factors may be responsible for the regulation of placental vascular development. Clinicians cannot predict pre-eclampsia prior to the onset symptoms. An ideal bio-marker for pre-eclampsia prediction is during the first trimester. This study investigated the serum levels of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), C-reactive protein (CRP) and the gene expressions of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) and p53 in PE trying to find out potential bio-markers for prediction and diagnosis of PE.

A total of 100 female volunteers were involved in this study and their ages were ranged from 25-35 years. They were divided into three groups: Group (1) was 20 healthy non-pregnant women, group (2) was 20 pregnant women normal pregnancies and group (3) was 60 preeclamptic patients. The study participants were enrolled at the Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology at Mansoura University Hospital, Mansoura, Egypt. The study was approved by the Research Ethics Committee (Faculty of Science, Al Azhar University, Egypt) approved on the March 15, 2014) all women gave written informed consent. Serum levels of CRP, IL-10 and TNF-α were evaluated, in addition to the gene expression of VEGF, eNOS and p53.

Significant elevations in the serum levels of blood pressure, TNF-α and CRP were observed in PE patients. Additionally, the gene expression of VEGF, eNOS and P53 were down-regulated in preeclampsia.

Elevated serum levels of TNFα and CRP, in addition to the down-regulation of eNOS may be used as good predictors for preeclampsia. The TNF-α and VEGF gene were recommended used as markers for PE to be added to routine testes of pregnant women.