Messenger ribonucleic acid levels of interleukin-1 beta, interleukin-6 and interleukin-8 in the lower uterine segment increased significantly at final cervical dilatation during term parturition, while those of tumor necrosis factor alpha remained unchanged.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the content of tumor necrosis factor alpha, interleukin-1 beta, interleukin-6 and interleukin-8 messenger ribonucleic acid (mRNA) in the lower uterine segment during term parturition.


METHODS
mRNA extracts from the lower uterine segment obtained from 53 women undergoing non-elective caesarean section at term were analyzed by semi-quantitative reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction. The patients were grouped according to cervical dilatation (less than 2 cm, n=18; 2 to less than 4 cm, n=13; 4-6 cm, n=7; more than 6 cm, n=15) at the time of caesarean section.


RESULTS
Interleukin-1 beta and interleukin-8 mRNA-contents at more than 6 cm cervical dilation were significantly higher than at less than 2 cm. The levels of interleukin-6 were already significantly increased in the 4-6 cm group, while the tumor necrosis factor alpha ribonucleic acid content did not change during parturition.


CONCLUSIONS
The process of cervical dilatation during parturition at term is associated with an increased expression of interleukin-1 beta, interleukin-6 and interleukin-8 mRNA in the lower uterine segment. These findings support the theory that the activation of the inflammatory network plays an important role in the progress of cervical dilatation.
Maul
Holger
H
Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Technology, Aachen, Germany.
Nagel
Stefan
S
Welsch
Gabi
G
Schäfer
Axel
A
Winkler
Matthias
M
Rath
Werner
W
D002584:Cervix Uteri / Q000502:physiology; D005260:Female; D015870:Gene Expression; D006801:Humans; D007375:Interleukin-1 / Q000235:genetics*; D015850:Interleukin-6 / Q000235:genetics*; D016209:Interleukin-8 / Q000235:genetics*; D007747:Labor Stage, First; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D011247:Pregnancy; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000032:analysis*; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / Q000235:genetics; D014599:Uterus / Q000737:chemistry*
D007375:Interleukin-1; D015850:Interleukin-6; D016209:Interleukin-8; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha