Tumor Necrosis Factor α, Interleukin 1 β in Amniotic Fluid and Plasma in Normal and Pr-Eclamptic Nigerian Women

Objective: To investigate if markers for activation of the immune system are present in patient with Pre-eclampsia by assessing maternal plasma and amniotic fluid for tumor necrosis factor α and Interleukin 1α.

Study design: n=30 women with severe pre-eclampsia composed the study group (Group A) An antepartum comparison group was composed of healthy nulliparous patient n=30 not in labour and matched for gestational age (Group B). Another control group consisted of term nulliparous patients in labour with uneventful pregnancies (Group C). Maternal plasma samples were collected from all patients at recruitment and from women in group A and C immediately after delivery and again 20 to 24 hours post partum. Amniotic fluid was also taken from women in group A and C during labour. All specimens were collected, assayed for tumor necrosis factor α and Interleukin 1β by specified enzymes linked immunoassay.

Result: Before labour, tumor necrosis factor α (TNFα) was found more frequently in the plasma of preeclampsia women than in the plasma of women in group B and in higher concentration. Similarly amniotic fluid levels of tumor necrosis factor α were increased in preeclampsia women compared with control women.

Conclusion: Our study shows that tumor necrosis is increased in plasma and amniotic fluid in patients with severe preeclampsia. Our result further suggests a role for abnormal immune activation in the pathophysiological mechanism of pre-elampsia.