Tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α) and interleukin 6 (IL-6) are proinflammatory cytokines and known to be involved in many pathological processes. However, the association between serum levels of TNF-α, IL-6, and pregnancy-induced hypertension (PIH) is unclear. The aim of the present study was to determine the serum levels of TNF-α and IL-6 and to investigate their potential correlation with PIH. In this study, the serum concentrations of TNF-α and IL-6 in pregnant women who developed PIH and normal pregnant women were measured. We found that the serum concentrations of TNF-α and IL-6 were significantly increased in the patients with PIH compared to the normal pregnant women. In addition, elevated TNF-α and IL-6 concentrations were associated with pathological complications. Moreover, in a hypoxia-induced PIH mice model, animals from the PIH group demonstrated higher TNF-α and IL-6 levels when compared to control, and serum TNF-α and IL-6 levels were positively correlated with right ventricular systolic blood pressure. Furthermore, TNF-α and IL-6 levels were decreased when the PIH mice were treated with remodulin compared to control group. In conclusion, our results suggested that high serum TNF-α and IL-6 levels are associated with PIH, and TNF-α and IL-6 might be potential predictors in the prognosis of PIH.
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