Serum TNF-α, IL-6, lupus anticoagulant and anticardiolipin antibody in women with and without a past history of recurrent miscarriage

Objective: The aim of this study was to investigate lupus anticoagulant (LA), anticardiolipin antibody (ACA), tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) and interleukin-6 (IL-6) serum levels in 40 pregnant and 20 non-pregnant women. Materials and methods: The women were divided into three groups. The first group consisted of 20 pregnant women of less than 20 gestational weeks and with a past history of habitual abortion. The second group consisted of 20 non-pregnant patients with a past history of habitual abortion. The third group consisted of 20 healthy pregnant women. Result: LA was found in only one patient in Group 2. ACA IgG positivity was found in one patient in Group 1, three patients in Group 2 and one patient in Group 3. Mean ACA IgG was highest in Group 2. High serum TNF-a levels were found in 12 (60%), 6 (30%) and 2 (10%) women in Groups 1, 2 and 3, respectively. Conclusion: We propose that cytokines, especially TNF-alpha, were found to be related to pregnancy loss. (C) 2004 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.