TNF-α serum levels are elevated in women with clinically symptomatic uterine fibroids

Uterine fibroids (UFs) are one of the most common pathologies of the female genital tract. The incidence of UFs has been estimated at 25–80%. Tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α is a cell-signaling protein involved in systemic inflammation and is one of the cytokines responsible for the acute phase reaction. The aim of the study was to evaluate the impact of clinically symptomatic UFs on TNF-α serum levels. A total of 149 Caucasian women were included: 85 patients admitted for surgery due to clinically symptomatic UFs (n = 85; study group) and 64 age-matched UF-free controls (n = 64). TNF-α serum concentrations between the groups were compared. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves were also used as a statistical model to evaluate TNF-α as a marker for UFs. Mean TNF-α serum concentration in the study group was 0.34 ± 0.14 pg/mL; (in half of the subjects, the level did not exceed 0.39 pg/mL. Mean TNF-α serum concentration in the control group was 0.17 ± 0.09 pg/mL; in half of the subjects, the level did not exceed 0.14 pg/mL. The difference was statistically significant. Using the area under the ROC curve, we found that TNF-α serum concentration of 0.34 pg/mL can be used as a predictor for UFs in selected populations. In our study, we confirmed higher TNF-α serum concentrations in women with clinically symptomatic UFs.

[1]  G. Jakiel,et al.  Role of Transforming Growth Factor β in Uterine Fibroid Biology , 2017, International journal of molecular sciences.

[2]  G. Jakiel,et al.  Influence of vitamin D and transforming growth factor β3 serum concentrations, obesity, and family history on the risk for uterine fibroids. , 2016, Fertility and sterility.

[3]  W. Catherino,et al.  Uterine fibroids , 2016, Nature Reviews Disease Primers.

[4]  Md Soriful Islam,et al.  Possible involvement of inflammatory/reparative processes in the development of uterine fibroids , 2015, Cell and Tissue Research.

[5]  F. Petraglia,et al.  Role of activin-A and myostatin and their signaling pathway in human myometrial and leiomyoma cell function. , 2014, The Journal of clinical endocrinology and metabolism.

[6]  F. Petraglia,et al.  Complex networks of multiple factors in the pathogenesis of uterine leiomyoma. , 2013, Fertility and sterility.

[7]  P. Madej,et al.  Immunohistochemical localization of selected pro-inflammatory factors in uterine myomas and myometrium in women of various ages. , 2013, Folia histochemica et cytobiologica.

[8]  A. Al-Hendy,et al.  Adipocytes Enhance the Proliferation of Human Leiomyoma Cells Via TNF-α Proinflammatory Cytokine , 2011, Reproductive Sciences.

[9]  Md Soriful Islam,et al.  Growth factors and myometrium: biological effects in uterine fibroid and possible clinical implications. , 2011, Human reproduction update.

[10]  Ewelina Taudul,et al.  [Tumor necrosis factor in uterine leiomyomas at various stages of tumor growth]. , 2010, Ginekologia polska.

[11]  H. Matsuo,et al.  Tumor Necrosis Factor-α Expression in Human Uterine Leiomyoma and Its Down-Regulation by Progesterone1 , 2001 .

[12]  R. Locksley,et al.  The TNF and TNF Receptor Superfamilies Integrating Mammalian Biology , 2001, Cell.

[13]  H. Matsuo,et al.  Tumor necrosis factor-alpha expression in human uterine leiomyoma and its down-regulation by progesterone. , 2001, The Journal of clinical endocrinology and metabolism.