Inflammatory Markers in Pre-eclampsia

Pre-eclampsia, a hypertensive disorder that affects some pregnants, is considered as a major cause of maternal and fetal death. Inflammation and oxidative stress may contribute to the pathophysiology of pre-eclampsia. The aim of this study is to evaluate the values of oxidative stress parameters and inflammatory markers in blood of normal and pre-eclamptic pregnants. Serum levels of malondialdehyde, peroxynitrite, C-reactive protein, and tumour necrosis factor alpha, besides urinary protein, had been determined in 25 pre-eclamptic and 25 normotensive pregnant women. The results of this research show that in the pre-eclampsia group; serum malondialdehyde, peroxynitrite, C-reactive protein, and tumour necrosis factor alpha levels were significantly higher than in the normotensive group. Serum malondialdehyde showed significant positive correlation with C-reactive protein and tumour necrosis factor alpha. In conclusion: The inflammatory markers; C-reactive protein and tumour necrosis factor alpha and oxidative stress markers; malondialdehyde and peroxynitrite are all increased in pre-eclampsia. These data revealed the role of inflammation and oxidative stress factors in pre-eclampsia.