Aim: The object of the present study was to cause-effect relationships between serum placental angiogenic proteins and IL-2, IL-6, IL-10 levels in pregnant women with preeclampsia.
Material and methods: We studied a total of 70 women, aget 18-36/25+/-4.1/40 women had preeclampsia, 30 had normal pregnancies and 30 women were healthy controls. We measured the serm levels of fms-like tyrosine kinase-1, placental growth factor (PLGF), IL-2, IL-6, IL-10 using ELISA.
Results: sFlt-1 serum levels were significantly higher and PLGF levels were significantly lower in women with preeclampsia as compare to those of healthy Pregnant women Likewise, IL-2, IL-6 levels were significantly higher in women with preeclampsia as compared to those of healthy pregnant women. IL-10 levels were not different between the two groups, sFlt-1, IL-2 and IL-6 were strongly correlated, PLGF and IL-2 were moderately correlated and there was no correlation with IL-10. There was a significant negative correlation between the two growth factors.
Conclusions: The abnormal balance of circulating angiogenic factors is a major pathgenetic mechanism underlying the endothelial dysfunction and clinical manifestations of preeclampsia. Endothelial dysfunction activated the expression and production of IL-2, and IL-6. The correlation of sFlt-1 and PLGF on one hand, and IL-2 and IL-6, on the other, is probably an factor which supports the participation of angiogenic proteins and cytokines in the pathogenesis of preeclampsia.