The effect of interleukin-1 in rabbit cervical ripening.
OBJECTIVE
In this research we studied the effect of interleukin-1 beta (IL-1 beta) on the cervix.


METHODS
Vaginal suppositories of a low dose of IL-1 beta (200 ng) were applied to non-pregnant and pregnant rabbits. Results were compared with a control group which were treated only by placebo. Water concentration, collagen content, collagenase and elastase activities were measured. Neutrophil numbers in the cervical connective tissue were counted. Also, interleukin-8 (IL-8) was measured in the supernatant of homogenized cervical tissue treated by IL-1 beta.


RESULTS
Water contents of the tested cervices were increased (P < 0.006 and 0.03, respectively), whereas collagen content was markedly decreased (P < 0.0004 and 0.001, respectively). Collagenase activity was found to be increased in non-pregnant and pregnant cervices treated by IL-1 beta (P < 0.02 and 0.002, respectively). Also, elastase activity of these cervices were significantly increased compared to the control group (P < 0.0007 and 0.001, respectively). Neutrophil invasion was observed in the cervical connective tissues after application of IL-1 beta. IL-8 was significantly elevated (P < 0.0001) in the treated cervices.


CONCLUSIONS
Interaction between IL-1 and IL-8 is suspected to be essential for cervical ripening.
el Maradny
E
E
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Hamamatsu University School of Medicine, Japan.
Kanayama
N
N
Halim
A
A
Maehara
K
K
Sumimoto
K
K
Terao
T
T
D000818:Animals; D001834:Body Water / Q000378:metabolism; D002584:Cervix Uteri / Q000166:cytology / Q000502:physiology*; D003094:Collagen / Q000378:metabolism; D017364:Collagenases / Q000378:metabolism; D005260:Female; D007375:Interleukin-1 / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*; D016209:Interleukin-8 / Q000378:metabolism; D007958:Leukocyte Count; D019272:Leukocyte Elastase; D009504:Neutrophils; D010196:Pancreatic Elastase / Q000378:metabolism; D011247:Pregnancy; D011817:Rabbits
D007375:Interleukin-1; D016209:Interleukin-8; D003094:Collagen; D010196:Pancreatic Elastase; D019272:Leukocyte Elastase; D017364:Collagenases