Evaluation of the correlation between IL-1β, IL-8, IFN-γ cytokine concentration in cervico-vaginal fluid and the risk of preterm delivery

Abstract

The aim of the study was to evaluate IL-1β, II-8, IFN-γ cytokine concentrations in cervico-vaginal fluid in patients with threatening preterm delivery. The study group included 84 patients between 27 and 34 weeks of pregnancy admitted with symptoms of threatened preterm delivery. The cervico-vaginal fluid was taken from each patient qualified for the study and IL-1β, II-8, IFN-γ concentration was analyzed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The following factors were analyzed: maternal age and parity gestational age at admission for the examination and at delivery, sex of the newborn, Apgar evaluation at 1 and 5 minutes of life, umbilical blood pH, history of miscarriage or preterm delivery pre-pregnancy body mass index, and smoking. Their influence on the concentration of biochemical markers tested in patients at risk of preterm delivery was investigated. In the study group, patients who delivered preterm had significantly higher concentrations of IL-1β and II-8 as compared to patients who delivered at term. Patients who delivered preterm more often had a history of a miscarriage and their newborns had lower birth weight, lower Apgar score, and lower pH of the umbilical blood. As far as factors significantly influencing cytokine concentrations are concerned, the level of IL-1β and II-8 concentration is an independent predictor of preterm delivery in patients with threatened preterm labor. In the study group, the IFN-γ concentration did not significantly diversify patients who delivered preterm and at term.