A Comparison of Circulating TNF-α in Obese and Lean Women with and without Preeclampsia
Objectives: We hypothesized that TNF-α would be higher in obese versus lean women with preeclampsia. Methods: Total plasma TNF-α was measured in a nested case-control study of 123 nulliparous lean and obese control women and women with preeclampsia. Results: Adjusted mean TNF-α concentrations were 0.97 ± 0.11 (pg/mL ± SEM) in lean controls, 1.01 ± 0.10 in obese controls, 1.43 ± 0.11 in lean women with preeclampsia and 1.16 ± 0.11 in obese women with preeclampsia. Pregnancy outcome was the single predictor of TNF-α concentration in the general linear regression model (p = 0.04). Conclusion: TNF-α concentration was higher in preeclampsia compared with control subjects. Obesity was not associated with higher TNF-α concentrations in either preeclampsia or control subjects.