Interleukin-8 is a mediator of the final cervical ripening in humans.
OBJECTIVE
The aim of the present study was to investigate the presence of interleukin-8 (IL-8) in the human cervix and whether the levels of interleukin-8 could be related to the ripening process during pregnancy.


METHODS
Cervical biopsies were obtained in twelve term pregnant and in eight vaginally delivered women. Seven non-pregnant fertile women served as controls. After homogenisation and centrifugation, IL-8 levels were determined in the supernatant by an enzyme-immunoassay (EIA).


RESULTS
In women at term, the concentration of IL-8 increased six-fold from median 330 pg/ml to median 2190 pg/ml (P < 0.001). After the final cervical ripening it increased in additional 11-fold to median 26,100 pg/ml (P < 0.001). These changes are highly significant.


CONCLUSIONS
To our knowledge, this is the first time IL-8 has been identified in human cervix. Our results support the involvement of IL-8 in the connective tissue remodelling during the final cervical ripening just before onset of labour.
Sennström
M K
MK
Department of Women and Child Health, Karolinska Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden. jacob@mail.oden.se
Brauner
A
A
Lu
Y
Y
Granström
L M
LM
Malmström
A L
AL
Ekman
G E
GE
D001034:Apgar Score; D001724:Birth Weight; D002584:Cervix Uteri / Q000737:chemistry / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007124:Immunoenzyme Techniques; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D016209:Interleukin-8 / Q000032:analysis / Q000502:physiology*; D007743:Labor, Obstetric / Q000502:physiology*; D011247:Pregnancy; D012016:Reference Values
D016209:Interleukin-8