Spontaneous and induced release of prostaglandins, interleukin (IL)-1beta, IL-6, and tumor necrosis factor-alpha by placental tissue from normal and preeclamptic pregnancies.

Problem: The objective of this study was to clarify the role of the main proinflammatory cytokines (interleukin [IL]-1, IL-6, tumor necrosis factor [TNF]-alpha) in the pathogenesis of preeclampsia and how these cytokines affect one another and the production of prostaglandins (PGs).

Method Of Study: The concentrations of cytokines and PGs in supernatants of placental tissue from preeclamptic and normal women were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.

Results: The concentrations of the PGs from unstimulated preeclamptic placental tissue were significantly higher compared to the concentrations of PGs from normal unstimulated placental tissue.

Evaluation of nonspecific immunity and plasma levels of interferon-gamma, interleukin-6 and tumor necrosis factor-alpha in preeclampsia.

In this study we evaluated the maternal cell-mediated immune aspects of preeclampsia in terms of phagocytosis and killing of monocytes and polymorphonuclear cells. To evaluate the contribution of cytokines (Cks) in the pathophysiology of preeclampsia, we investigated the plasma levels of interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma), interleukin-6 (IL-6) and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha), respectively, by an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Data showed that phagocytic and killing activities of monocytes were depressed in preeclamptic and normal pregnancies.

Evaluation of hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenocortical hormones and inflammatory cytokines in patients with persistent vegetative state.

Hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenocortical hormones, i.e. prolactin (PRL), human growth hormone (hGH), thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH), and Cortisol and plasma levels of cytokines, i.