title: Interleukin-8 synthesis and the onset of labor.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To examine the role of cytokines in cervical dilation.
  
  
  METHODS
  In 55 patients undergoing cesarean delivery, we took samples from the lower uterine segment, the decidua, and the membranes. We determined the concentrations of interleukin (IL)-2, IL-8, tumor necrosis factor-alpha, matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-8, and MMP-9 in the different tissues.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Depending on the state of labor, we observed a significant increase (P < .001) in IL-8 concentrations in the lower uterine segment. The leukocyte enzymes MMP-8 and MMP-9 were highly significantly correlated with the IL-8 concentrations.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Interleukin-8 is critically involved in the process of parturition in humans. Interleukin-8 concentrations in the myometrium, decidua, and membranes correlated strongly with the observed MMP-8 and MMP-9 concentrations.
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Göttingen, Germany.
authors.forename: R G
authors.initials: RG
authors.lastname: Osmers
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Bläser
authors.forename: W
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Kuhn
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Tschesche
mesh_terms: D002584:Cervix Uteri / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology*; D002585:Cesarean Section; D017364:Collagenases / Q000378:metabolism*; D016207:Cytokines / Q000502:physiology*; D003656:Decidua / Q000378:metabolism; D005321:Extraembryonic Membranes / Q000378:metabolism; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D016209:Interleukin-8 / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D007745:Labor Onset / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000502:physiology; D020784:Matrix Metalloproteinase 8; D020780:Matrix Metalloproteinase 9; D009215:Myometrium / Q000378:metabolism; D011247:Pregnancy
chemical_list: D016207:Cytokines; D016209:Interleukin-8; D017364:Collagenases; D020784:Matrix Metalloproteinase 8; D020780:Matrix Metalloproteinase 9