IL18 and Hypertension: Preeclampsia, initiated by periodontitis, results in elevated IL-6 and CRP in early pregnancy.49 A rise in mean arterial pressure showed that plasma levels of TNF-α increased by two-fold in pregnant rodents, causing TNF-α induced hypertension.50 Elevated CXCL10 levels cause placental inflammation and are associated with preeclampsia.51 Elevated IL-18 levels are linked with preeclampsia and IUGR.52