Interleukin-18 in the plasma of women with preeclampsia.
OBJECTIVE
Interleukin-18 (IL-18) is a proinflammatory cytokine capable of stimulating interferon gamma and tumor necrosis factor-alpha production. Our purpose was to determine whether abnormal levels of IL-18 in maternal plasma correlate with the diagnosis of preeclampsia.


METHODS
A case control study design was used to enroll 61 patients: controls (n = 31) and preeclamptic women (n = 30). A standard enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay measured plasma IL-18. Statistical methods included Student t tests and chi(2) tests.


RESULTS
Mean IL-18 levels were lower in preeclampsia than in controls (185 +/- 74 pg/mL vs 224 +/- 75 pg/mL, P =.053). Administration of betamethasone (BMZ) and/or hydralazine (HYD) was significantly associated with a lower IL-18 compared with controls (159 +/- 50 pg/mL vs 224 +/- 75 pg/mL, P =.002). After women who received BMZ or HYD were excluded, levels of IL-18 in preeclampsia were similar to those of controls (213 +/- 87 pg/mL, P =.69). There was no association between gestational age and IL-18.


CONCLUSIONS
Lower IL-18 was associated with administration of either BMZ or HYD. After patients receiving these medications were excluded, IL-18 levels were similar in controls and preeclamptic women. IL-18 was not associated with gestational age.
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology and Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, WA 98195, USA.
Kristina M
KM
Adams
Lynn S
LS
Mandel
Katherine A
KA
Guthrie
M Wendy
MW
Atkinson
D000328:Adult; D000959:Antihypertensive Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001623:Betamethasone / Q000627:therapeutic use; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D005260:Female; D005865:Gestational Age; D005938:Glucocorticoids / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D006830:Hydralazine / Q000627:therapeutic use; D020382:Interleukin-18 / Q000097:blood*; D011225:Pre-Eclampsia / Q000097:blood* / Q000188:drug therapy; D011247:Pregnancy
D000959:Antihypertensive Agents; D005938:Glucocorticoids; D020382:Interleukin-18; D006830:Hydralazine; D001623:Betamethasone