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Endothelial dysfunction is thought to be a central pathogenic feature in pre-eclampsia on the basis of elevated adhesion molecules. Soluble forms of these molecules can be detected in plasma, and their concentrations are thought to reflect the degree of activation of a particular cell type. The aim of the present study was to compare the levels of soluble vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (sVCAM-1) in sera of normal and pre-eclamptic pregnancies. A cross-sectional study was conducted to determine the plasma concentrations of sVCAM-1 in peripheral blood obtained from normal pregnant women (n=40), mild pre-eclampsia (n=37) and severe pre-eclampsia (n=38). Concentrations of soluble adhesion molecule was determined with enzymelinked immunosorbant assay (ELISA). Serum concentration of sVCAM-1 was significantly higher in severe preeclampsia (P<0.05) than normal pregnancy. There was also significant differences in sVCAM- 1 levels between mild and severe pre-eclampsia (P<0.05). There was no difference in the mean plasma log sVCAM1between normal pregnant women and mild pre-eclamptic women. These results suggest soluble vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 are increased in severe pre-eclampsia, and sVCAM-1may be useful in predicting the severity of pre-eclampsia.