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.