First trimester interleukin 8 levels are associated with postpartum relapse in multiple sclerosis.
Pregnancy has an ameliorating effect on multiple sclerosis (MS), but directly after delivery the risk of a relapse is increased. The pro-inflammatory chemokine interleukin 8 is associated with disease activity. We aimed to investigate whether pregnancy-induced fluctuations of interleukin 8 correlate with periods of enhanced and diminished disease activity. Thirty-six women with MS were prospectively studied before, during and after pregnancy. Serum levels of interleukin 8 were significantly decreased during the third trimester (p = 0.03). High first trimester serum levels of interleukin 8 were associated with a high risk of postpartum relapse (p = 0.007). These results help us to further understand the altered disease course during pregnancy.
Department of Neurology, Erasmus MC, Rotterdam, The Netherlands.
Rinze F
RF
Neuteboom
Evert
E
Verbraak
Jane S A
JS
Voerman
Marjan
M
van Meurs
Eric A P
EA
Steegers
Christianne J M
CJ
de Groot
Jon D
JD
Laman
Rogier Q
RQ
Hintzen
D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D016209:Interleukin-8 / Q000097:blood*; D009103:Multiple Sclerosis / Q000097:blood*; D049590:Postpartum Period; D011247:Pregnancy; D011248:Pregnancy Complications / Q000097:blood*; D011256:Pregnancy Outcome; D011261:Pregnancy Trimester, First / Q000097:blood*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012008:Recurrence; D012306:Risk
D016209:Interleukin-8