Concentration of selected cytokines in women with premature rupture of membranes and preterm delivery – preliminary study

Abstract

Material and methods: 35 patients with PROM (average age 29.6}3.8 years, average time of gestation 35.2+/-.5 weeks) were analyzed. The pregnant women were divided into 2 groups: 15 women delivered ≤24h and 20 women delivered >24h since the appearance of PROM. In both analyzed subgroups, the levels of IL-6, TNF-α, G-CSF, CRP and leucocytosis have been compared. The concentration of IL-6, TNF-α and G-CSF in serum was measured by immunoenzymatic ELISA method, CRP concentration by immunoturbimetric method. Results: In the whole group of women with PROM, the differences in average serum concentration of IL-6 before and after delivery (6.01+/-3.71pg/mL and 7.98+/-3.44pg/mL p<0.05) and G-CSF (130.92+/-110.32pg/mL and 79.59+/-52,13pg/mL, p<0,05) have been observed. Moreover, average TNF-α concentration before and after the delivery was 1.43+/-0.63pg/mL and 1.72+/-1.06pg/mL (p>0.05), respectively. It is particularly interesting that the authors have observed higher concentration of G-CSF in women who delivered within 24h since PROM (147.05+/-103.88pg/mL), if compared to the women who delivered after 24h since PROM (118.81+/-115.71pg/mL, without statistically significant difference p>0.05). The same remark was connected with difference of IL-6 concentration in analogical groups of women (6.42+/-4.14pg/mL vs 5.71+/-3.42pg/mL, p>0.05). Equally interesting observation were statistically significant differences in G-CSF concentration before and after delivery (147.06+/-103,88 vs 74.67+/-46.84, p<0.05) in the event of the delivery ≤24h since PROM, such as in IL-6 concentration (5.71+/-3.42 vs 8.11+/-3.41, p<0.05) in case of the delivery >24h since PROM. Conclusions: Statistically significant differences in IL-6, G-CSF, and CRP concentration before and after the delivery suggest the participation of these factors in the etiology of preterm delivery in women with PROM. The higher IL-6 and G-CSF concentration in women delivering within 24h since the appearance of PROM suggest that these cytokines could be involved in the processes leading to delivery. Statistically significant differences in IL-6 and G-CSF concentration before and after the delivery in a group of women delivering ≤24h or >24h could indicate an important contribution of changes in proportions of these cytokines in PTD the etiology in PROM.