Maternal serum levels of tumor necrosis factor-alpha and interleukin-2 receptor in threatened abortion: a comparison with normal and pathologic pregnancies
F. Gucer et al., Maternal serum levels of tumor necrosis factor-alpha and interleukin-2 receptor in threatened abortion: a comparison with normal and pathologic pregnancies, FERT STERIL, 76(4), 2001, pp. 707-711
Objective: We evaluated tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) and interle
ukin-2 (IL-2) receptor levels in patients with threatened abortion and comp
ared the levels with normal and pathologic pregnancies.
Design: A prospective, nonrandomized, case-control study.
Setting: Academic research setting.
Patient(s): Twenty-two patients with threatened abortion, 18 patients with
pathologic pregnancies, 20 healthy pregnant women, and 20 nonpregnant women
.
Intervention (s): Maternal serum TNF-alpha and IL-2 receptor levels were me
asured with a solid-phase, two-site chemiluminescent enzyme immunometric as
say method.
Main Outcome Measure(s): TNF-alpha and IL-2 receptor levels.
Result(s): The mean SEM maternal serum IL-2 receptor level for patients wit
h threatened abortion was 481.3 +/- 35.7 U/mL, compared with 426.5 +/- 22.4
U/mL in the normal pregnant group. There was no statistically significant
difference in the mean SEM serum TNF-alpha level between the patients with
threatened abortion and those with normal pregnancies (16.1 +/- 2.7 pg/mL v
s. 10.9 +/- 0.8 pg/mL). The mean SEM maternal serum IL-2 receptor level was
significantly higher in patients with pathologic pregnancies than in those
with normal pregnancies (506.2 +/- 27.6 U/mL vs. 426.5 22.4 U/mL). The mea
n SEM maternal serum TNF-alpha level was significantly higher in patients w
ith pathologic pregnancies than in those with threatened abortion (39.2 +/-
9.5 pg/mL vs. 16.1 +/- 2.7 pg/mL) and normal pregnancies (39.2 +/- 9.5 pg/
mL vs. 10.9 +/- 0.8 pg/mL).
Conclusion(s): In comparison with normal pregnancies, maternal serum IL-2 r
eceptor and TNF-alpha levels were not significantly increased in patients w
ith threatened abortion with good outcome. (Fertil Steril(R) 2001;76: 707-1
1. (C) 2001 by American Society for Reproductive Medicine.).