Study On The Relationship Between Serum Levels Of Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha, Interleukin-8 And Threatened Abortion In The First Trimester

Objective:To explore the relationship between tumor necrosis -alpha(TNF-a), interleukin-8(IL-8) and threatened abortion by evaluating serum levels of TNF-a and IL-8 in patients with threatened abortion in the first trimester. Methods :The serum levels of TNF-a and IL-8 were evaluated of 45 patients with threatened abortion in the first trimester,33 patients with threatened abortion with good outcome and 31 woman with normal pregnancies by sandwich enzyme-linked immunoassay(ELISA).Results : The mean maternal serum TNF-a and IL-8 levels were significantly higher in patients with threatened abortion in the first trimester than in those with normal pregnancies(328.71±89.51pg/ml vs. 180.38±75.84pg/ml,p=0.001 and 1945.51±817.39pg/ml vs. 924.35±371.83pg/ml, p=0.041).The mean maternalserum TNF-a and IL-8 levels were significantly higher in patients with threatened abortion who aborted subsequently ( 3 with missed abortion and 9 with blighted ovum ) than in those with normal pregnancies(366.54±79.79 pg/ml vs.180.38±75.84pg/ml,p=0.000 and 2086.71±725.19 pg/ml vs.924.35±371.83pg/ml,p=0.011).But there were no statistically significantly difference in the mean serum TNF-a and IL-8 levels between the patients who aborted subsequently and in those with threatened abortion with good outcome. After being treated successfully, the mean maternal serum TNF-a and IL-8 levels in patients with threatened abortion were significantly lower than in the same group before being treated(197.28±71.43 pg/ml vs.299.53±85.43 pg/ml p=0.033 and 954.75±315.73 pg/ml vs.1838.56±785.93 pg/ml,p=0.048). Conclusion: In comparison with normal pregnancies, maternal serum TNF-a and IL-8 levels were significantly increased in patients with threatened abortion in the first trimester and in those who aborted subsequently .And after being treated successfully, the mean maternal serum TNF-a and IL-8 levels in patients with threatened abortion were significantly lower than in the same group before being treated. The results provide clue that TNF-a and IL-8 play a role in abortion.