A comparison of circulating TNF-alpha in obese and lean women with and without preeclampsia

Objectives: We hypothesized that TNF-alpha would be higher in obese versus lean women with preeclampsia. Methods: Total plasma TNF-alpha was measured in a nested case-control study of 123 nulliparous lean and obese control women and women with preeclampsia. Results: Adjusted mean TNF-alpha 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-alpha concentration in the general linear regression model (p = 0.04). Conclusion: TNF-alpha concentration was higher in preeclampsia compared with control subjects. Obesity was not associated with higher TNF-alpha concentrations in either preeclampsia or control subjects.