[Study on tumor necrosis factor and pathogenesis of pregnancy induced hypertension].

OBJECTIVE: To study the role of tumor necrosis factor (TNF-alpha) in the pathogenesis of pregnancy induced hypertension (PIH). METHODS: Radioimmunoassay was used to measure the levels of TNF-alpha in 25 severe PIH patients and 25 normal pregnant women. Umbilical vein endothelial cells were cultured with TNF-alpha (500 U/ml) or without TNF-alpha. The concentration of endothelin-1 (ET-1), 6-ket-PGF1 alpha, nitrite (NO2-), expression of fibronectin(FN) and white blood cells adhesion to the surface of endothelial cells test were measured. RESULTS: The levels of TNF-alpha in serum of severe PIH patients were significantly higher than that of normal pregnant women (P < 0.05). In endothelium culture supernatant with TNF-alpha group, synthesis of ET-1, NO2- and 6-ket-PGF1 alpha 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-alpha group and control group. CONCLUSION: TNF-alpha may be involved in the pathogenesis of PIH.