Study on Tumor Necrosis Factor and Pathogendsis of Pregnancy Induced Hypertension

Objective To study the role of tunor necrosis factor (TNF) in the pathogenesis of pregnancy induced hypertension (PH). Methods Radioimmunoassay was used to measure the levels of TNF in 25 severe PIH patients and 25 normal pregnant women.Umbilical vein endothelial cells were cultured with TNF (500 U/ml) or without TNF.The concentration of endothelin1 (ET1),6ketPGF1,mitrite (NO2),expression of fibronectin (FN) and white blood cells adhesion to the surface of endothelial cells test were measured. Results The levels of TNF in serum of severe PIH patients were significantly higher than that of normal pregnant women (P0.05).In endothelium culture supernatant with TNF group,synthesis of ET1,NO2 and 6ketPGF1 increased,expression of FN on the surface of endothelial cells decreased,white blood cells adhesion to endothelial cells increased.There was significant difference between TNF group and control group. Conclusions TNF may be involved in the pathogenesis of PIH.