Evaluation of Cytokines in Overweight Pregnant Women

Abstract

The incidence of obesity is increasing continuously worldwide, affecting including women on reproductive age. The exact relationship between obesity and pregnancy is not yet completely understood, but it is known that the association between these two conditions results in an intense inflammatory process which increases the risk of pregnancy complications and adverse obstetric outcomes. Several immune mediators produced in the maternal-fetal compartment are involved in this scenario, including TNF-A and IL-10. TNF-A is an inflammatory cytokine and its exacerbated production has been linked to obstetric complications. On the other hand, IL-10 has the opposite effect and its anti-inflammatory properties are important to modulate the maternal-fetal response. Changes in the production of these mediators have been associated with obesity, however, there are few data regarding the immune pattern of overweight pregnant women. Genetic polymorphisms may influence the production of these cytokines. Based on these observations, our goal is to evaluate the production of TNF-A and IL-10 cytokines and gene polymorphisms related to these mediators in overweight pregnant women, in order to assess the possible association between these markers and maternal and perinatal complications.