Luteal phase of the menstrual cycle in young healthy women is associated with decline in interleukin 2 levels.
The aim of this study was to look at the possible changes in the blood levels of Interleukin 2 (IL2) during the sexual cycle in generally healthy, young, regularly menstruating women. The concentrations of progesterone and 17beta-estradiol were measured using radioimmunological assay. The bioactivity of interleukin 2 was measured using a biological test on the IL2-sensitive CTLL cell line. The percentage of lymphocytes with intracellular IL2 was determined by flow cytometry. Eighteen healthy volunteers (19-29 years old) were examined on days 5, 8, 14, 18 and 25 of the same cycle. All women were characterised by a regular menstrual cycle as per physiological levels of 17beta-es-tradiol and progesterone. The luteal phase of the cycle was characterised by both a decrease of IL2 blood levels and a decrease in the percentage of intracellular 1L2-containing lymphocytes stimulated in vitro. The IL2 level fluctuations observed during the menstrual cycle may be one factor causing pre-menstrual infections observed in young women. On the other hand, the decrease of IL2 may be seen as a start of the immune suppression necessary for an embryo's nidation.
Trzonkowski
P
P
Department of Histology, Medical University of Gdansk, Poland. ptrzon@amedec.amg.gda.pl
Myśliwska
J
J
Tukaszuk
K
K
Szmit
E
E
Bryl
E
E
Myśliwski
A
A
D000328:Adult; D004958:Estradiol / Q000097:blood; D005260:Female; D005434:Flow Cytometry; D006801:Humans; D007376:Interleukin-2 / Q000097:blood*; D008183:Luteal Phase / Q000097:blood*; D008214:Lymphocytes / Q000378:metabolism; D011374:Progesterone / Q000097:blood
D007376:Interleukin-2; D011374:Progesterone; D004958:Estradiol