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

Objective: We evaluated tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) 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-alpha and IL-2 receptor levels were measured with a solid-phase, two-site chemiluminescent enzyme immunometric assay method. Main Outcome Measure(s): TNF-alpha 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-alpha 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-alpha 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-alpha levels were not significantly increased in patients with threatened abortion with good outcome. (Fertil Steril(R) 2001;76: 707-11. (C) 2001 by American Society for Reproductive Medicine.).