[Imbalance of serum T helper 1- and 2-type cytokines in preeclampsia and gestational hypertension].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the changes in serum levels of Th1- (IL-2 and TNF-alpha) and Th2-type cytokines (IL-10) and the ratios of Th1/Th2 (IL-2/IL-10 and TNF-alpha/IL-10) in preeclampsia and in gestational hypertension. METHODS: Levels of IL-2, IL-10 and TNF-alpha were determined with radioimmunoassay in serum samples from 22 women with preeclampsia, 15 women with gestational hypertension and 32 normal term pregnant women. The Th1/Th2 ratios were calculated accordingly. RESULT: There were no significant differences in serum levels of IL-2, IL-10 and TNF-alpha (P>0.05 for all) among normal pregnancy, gestational hypertension and preeclampsia. The ratio of serum IL-2/IL-10 was significantly higher in preeclampsia than that in controls (P < 0.05), and the ratio of TNF-alpha/IL-10 significantly higher in patients with preeclampsia than that in either controls or gestational hypertension (P<0.025 for both). CONCLUSION: Alterations of serum cytokine balance with predominance of Th1 immunity were observed in preeclampsia. These associations may offer insight into the pathogenesis of preeclampsia.