[Secretion and regulation of cytokines during pregnancy and gestosis].

OBJECTIVE

Pregnancy-induced hypertension is still a common cause for fetal morbidity and mortality besides causing life-threatening diseases for the mother. The aethiology of this disease is still unclear. Some research support the theory of an immunological genesis.

PATIENTS AND

METHODS

32 patients were treated for gestosis or HELLP-Syndrome in our clinic. A number of data, blood samples as well as the immunological status (IL-6, Interferon-gamma. TNF-alpha und TNF-alpha-receptores p 55/p 75) of every patient were taken into consideration and compared to the results of 44 pregnant women in good health.

RESULTS

Predisposing factors seem to have an crucial impact on the development of PIH. Under stimulation of peripheral blood monocytes the immunological results and the measurement of cytokines showed a significantly higher concentration of TNF-alpha compared to the results of the control group. The tendency of an increase of TNF-alpha-receptors p 75 was observed however it proved to have no statistical relevant when comparing the results of both groups.

DISCUSSION: An new approach to examine the aethiology of pregnancy-induced hypertensive diseases consists in measuring immunotransmitters such as interferon, Interleukin and the tumor necrosis factor. The increased concentration of TNF-alpha and TNF-alpha-receptor shows the involvement of the cytokines thus supporting the hypothesis of an immunological genesis.