Tumor necrosis factor alpha promoter polymorphism studies in pregnant women

Aims

The aim of this study was to explore the possible association between the −850 C/T polymorphism in the tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) gene promoter, and pregnancy-associated diseases such as gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) and preeclampsia (PE), in south Indian women. GDM and PE are common complications that occur during pregnancy and are the leading causes of perinatal mortality. To date, the mechanisms that initiate GDM and PE in humans have remained elusive.

Methods

This prospective case-control study was carried out with 505 pregnant women: 140 women had GDM, and 105 with PE. Remaining 260 women were age- and frequency-matched controls. TNF-α (–C850T) genotyping was determined by polymerase chain reaction with restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) analysis.

Result

We found no statistically significant difference in the genotypic and allelic distribution between GDM women and controls (for CT + TT vs. CC, χ² = 0.3919; p = 0.61; Odds Ratio (OR) = 0.76 (95% CI: 0.203–1.876)). No significant differences was observed in the allele and genotype frequency between PE women and controls (for CT + TT vs. CC, p = 0.31; OR = 0.55 (95% CI: 0.171–1.784); T vs. C, p = 0.71; OR = 0.94 (95% CI: 0.680–1.3)).

Conclusion

From our results, we conclude that the (–C850T) promoter polymorphism has no role in the propensity of pregnant women from south Indian populations to develop GDM or PE.