Relationships of serum pro-inflammatory cytokines and vascular endothelialgrowth factor with liver dysfunction in severe ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome

The aims of this study were to determine if differences in serum pro-inflam matory cytokines, vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and clinical pr egnancy rate, could be observed in women with severe ovarian hyperstimulati on syndrome (OHSS) in those who did and did not have liver dysfunction, Twe nty-nine in-vitro fertilization patients with severe OHSS mere included. Th e patients were divided into the normal liver function tests (LFT) group (n = 14) and the abnormal LFT group (II = 15) according to the LFT on day of admission. Periodic measurements of serum interleukin (IL)-6, IL-8, tumour necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha), VEGF, oestradiol, progesterone concentra tions, and LFT were performed during hospitalization. Concentrations of IL- 6 in the active phase of OHSS were significantly higher in the abnormal LFT group than in the normal LFT group (19.7 +/- 15.7 versus 8.1 +/- 7.0 pg/ml , respectively). The severity of liver dysfunction was not correlated with concentrations of oestradiol, progesterone, haematocrit, white blood cell c ounts, or any studied cytokine. The clinical pregnancy rate was significant ly lower in the abnormal EFT group (46.7%) than in the normal LFT group (85 .7%). These results suggest that IL-6 cytokine system may play a role in th e pathogenesis of liver dysfunction in severe OHSS. Abnormal LFT mere assoc iated with lower clinical pregnancy rates.