Maternal serum levels of tumor necrosis factor-α and interleukin-2 receptor in threatened abortion: a comparison with normal and pathologic pregnancies

Abstract 

Objective: We evaluated tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and interleukin-2 (IL-2) receptor levels in patients with threatened abortion and compared 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-α and IL-2 receptor levels were measured with a solid-phase, two-site chemiluminescent enzyme immunometric assay method.

Main Outcome Measure(s): TNF-α and IL-2 receptor levels.

Result(s): The mean ± SEM maternal serum IL-2 receptor level for patients with 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-α level between the patients with threatened abortion and those with normal pregnancies (16.1 ± 2.7 pg/mL vs. 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 mean ± SEM maternal serum TNF-α level was significantly higher in patients with 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 receptor and TNF-α levels were not significantly increased in patients with threatened abortion with good outcome.

Keywords:  TNF-α, IL-2 receptor, threatened abortion, missed abortion