Chorioamnionitis: Elevated interleukin-6 and interleukin-8 concentrations in the lower uterine segment
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M. J. Willi
Abstract
Aims: To determine interleukin (IL)-6 and IL-8 concentrations in the lower uterine segment in patients with chorioamnionitis compared to those without.
Methods: Biopsy specimens from the lower uterine segment of 33 patients with chorioamnionitis were matched to specimens of 33 patients without. The biopsies had been taken during cesarean section. The concentrations of IL-6 and IL-8 in protein extracts of these specimens were determined by enzyme linked immunosorbent assays.
Results: Compared to the controls patients with chorioamnionitis showed significantly lower gestational age and higher parity, and were more likely to receive fenoterol or betamethasone. In the chorioamnionitis group the median IL-6 concentrations were higher than in the controls (61.5 and 19.4 pg/mg protein, respectively [p < 0.01]). The same applies to the median IL-8 concentrations (162.3 and 13.4 pg/mg protein, respectively [p < 0.001]).
Conclusions: To our knowledge this is the first study which could clearly demonstrate significantly increased IL-6 and IL-8 levels in the lower uterine segment of patients with chorioamnionitis. Increased concentrations of pro-inflammatory cytokines may play a pivotal role in cervical softening and dilatation during chorioamniotic infection.
Copyright © 2002 by Walter de Gruyter GmbH & Co. KG
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Articles in the same Issue
- Taurine and taurine-deficiency in the perinatal period
- The effect of betamethasone administration to pregnant women on maternal serum indicators of infection
- Chorioamnionitis: Elevated interleukin-6 and interleukin-8 concentrations in the lower uterine segment
- Tyrphostins inhibit lipopolysaccharide induced preterm labor in mice
- Amniotic fluid matrix metalloproteinase-8 and the development of cerebral palsy
- Echocardiographic screening for congenital heart disease: a randomized study
- Maternal obesity not maternal glucose values correlates best with high rates of fetal macrosomia in pregnancies complicated by gestational diabetes
- Increased endothelial thrombomodulin (TM) expression in pregnancies complicated by IUGR
- Serum amyloid A protein in the early detection of late-onset bacterial sepsis in preterm infants
- Carbon dioxide levels do not predict duration of home oxygen requirement: a retrospective study
- A congenital anterior diaphragmatic hernia with massive pericardial effusion requiring neither emergency pericardiocentesis nor operation. A case report and review of the literature
- Extravascular collection of fluid around the vertebra resulting from malpositioning of a peripherally inserted central venous catheter in extremely low birth weight infants
- Placental boost to varicella-zoster antibodies in the newborn
- Enhancing decision-making by depressed pregnant patients
- Congress Calendar
- WAPM-Newsletter No 2/2002
