Lower maternal serum tumor necrosis factor-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL) levels in early preeclampsia. A retrospective study

Abstract Objective To determine whether maternal serum concentrations of tumor necrosis factor-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL), a cytokine with anti-inflammatory activity, also involved in cardiovascular morbidity, differ between women with early preeclampsia ( Study design This nested case control study included 40 women carrying a single fetus with an uncomplicated pregnancy and 20 women with early preeclampsia ( Results The TRAIL concentrations were lower in the patients with early preeclampsia when compared with those of the control group, being 29.64 ± 8.83 pg/dL and 43.8 ± 12.53 pg/dL ( p-value p-value Conclusions Serum TRAIL concentrations are significantly reduced in patients with early preeclampsia. This result is in line with the presence of an intravascular inflammation typical of preeclampsia. The lower levels of TRAIL detected in preeclampsia should be useful for a more proper selection of women with long-term cardiovascular risk later in life.