Cytokines Profiles in Sudanese Women with Preeclampsia

Abstract

Background. Cytokine imbalance in preeclampsia may be one of the etiological factors for preeclampsia. Objectives. The study was conducted to investigate interferon gamma (IFN-γ), interleukin-4 (IL-4) and interleukin-10 (IL-10) in preeclampsia. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was used to measure the concentrations of these three pro-inflammatory cytokines in sera from 33 Sudanese women with preeclampsia (at presentation and 7 days later) and 32 women with normal pregnancy as a control group. Results. The levels of IFN-γ and IL-4 were slightly—not statistically significant— higher in the women with preeclampsia. IL-10 was significantly higher in the women with preeclampsia. Women with preeclampsia had significantly lower levels of IFN-γ and IL-4 and significantly higher levels of IL-10 7days later in comparison with the presenting levels. Conclusion. Thus, the significantly raised levels of IL-10 in women with preeclampsia suggest its role in pathogenesis of preeclampsia, and further research is needed.

Keywords:

• Cytokines
• Preeclampsia
• Pathogenesis
• Sudan