Introduction

Women who smoke during pregnancy have a reduced risk of preeclampsia. The mechanism of this association is poorly understood. Preeclampsia is an anti-angiogenic and inflammatory state. Transforming growth factor beta 1 (TGF-β1) is a multi-functional anti-inflammatory cytokine that activates membrane bound endoglin on endothelial cells causing a myriad of vascular actions including vasorelaxation. The objective of the study was to determine serum levels of cytokines, angiogenic factors, placental growth factor (PlGF), TGF-β-1 and anti-angiogenic factors, soluble endoglin (sEng) and soluble vascular endothelial growth factor 1 (sVEGFR1) in smoking and non-smoking pregnant women.

Methods

Using enzyme-linked immunosorbent and multiplex assays we prospectively analyzed serum levels of PIGF, TGF-β1, sEng, sVEGFR1 and cytokines in normotensive pregnant smokers and non-smokers. Exclusion criteria included maternal hypertension, autoimmune disorders, rupture of membranes, evidence of labor and drug use.

Results

There were 59 women in the smoking and 66 in the non-smoking group. Compared to non-smoking mothers. maternal age was lower in smoking mothers with no significant difference in other demographic variables. There was no difference in levels of cytokines, anti-angiogenic factors and PlGF between the two groups. Median TGF-β1 levels were significantly higher in the smoking group (8120 pg/mL vs 6040 pg/mL, p < 0.001) and remained significant after controlling for confounders. TGF-β1 levels correlated positively with cotinine levels in the smoking group.

Conclusions

We speculate that higher TGF-β1 levels may explain the reduced incidence of preeclampsia in mothers who smoke by being available for action on maternal endothelium even after inactivation by circulating maternal sEng.

中文翻译：

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吸烟孕妇的血清 TGF-β1、细胞因子、血管生成和抗血管生成因子水平

介绍

怀孕期间吸烟的女性患先兆子痫的风险降低。这种关联的机制知之甚少。先兆子痫是一种抗血管生成和炎症状态。转化生长因子 β 1 (TGF-β1) 是一种多功能抗炎细胞因子，可激活内皮细胞上的膜结合内皮糖蛋白，引起包括血管舒张在内的多种血管作用。该研究的目的是确定血清中细胞因子、血管生成因子、胎盘生长因子 (PlGF)、TGF-β-1 和抗血管生成因子、可溶性内皮糖蛋白 (sEng) 和可溶性血管内皮生长因子 1 (sVEGFR1) 的水平。吸烟和不吸烟的孕妇。

方法

使用酶联免疫吸附和多重检测，我们前瞻性地分析了血压正常的怀孕吸烟者和非吸烟者的血清 PIGF、TGF-β1、sEng、sVEGFR1 和细胞因子水平。排除标准包括母体高血压、自身免疫性疾病、胎膜破裂、分娩证据和药物使用。

结果

吸烟组有 59 名女性，非吸烟组有 66 名女性。与不吸烟的母亲相比。吸烟母亲的母亲年龄较低，其他人口统计变量没有显着差异。两组细胞因子、抗血管生成因子和PlGF水平无差异。吸烟组的中位 TGF-β1 水平显着更高（8120 pg/mL vs 6040 pg/mL，p < 0.001），并且在控制混杂因素后仍然显着。吸烟组中 TGF-β1 水平与可替宁水平呈正相关。

结论

我们推测较高的 TGF-β1 水平可以解释吸烟母亲的先兆子痫发病率降低的原因，因为即使在被循环的母体 sEng 失活后，它们也可作用于母体内皮。