Background: Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF), transforming growth factor-beta1 (TGF-beta1), endothelin-1 (ET-1) and soluble c-kit ligand (sKL) are cytokines involved in embryogenesis.
Materials and methods: Maternal plasma cytokines were measured with ELISA during the three trimesters of gestation and on the day of delivery in 93 pregnant women and 18 age-matched non-pregnant control women.
Results: The VEGF and bFGF levels increased during the first trimester and declined thereafter, but they remained above the controls' values until delivery. The TGF-beta1 levels increased during the first trimester and remained unchanged thereafter. On the contrary, the ET-1 levels decreased and remained low until delivery. VEGF, bFGF, TGF-beta1 and ET-1 were increased in hypertensive pregnancy. Except for ET-1, these cytokines were also increased in gestational diabetes. No changes in plasma sKL were documented.
Conclusion: All the aforementioned cytokines play a role in uncomplicated pregnancy, whereas hypertensive pregnancy is causatively-related with increased ET-1.