title: Betamethasone effects on the endocervical inflammatory cytokines in preterm labor: a randomized clinical trial.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This study aimed to investigate the effect of betamethasone treatment on the endocervical concentration of IL-1β, IL-4, IL-6, and TNF-α in preterm labor patients.
  
  
  METHODS
  We studied 68 prime-gravid women in preterm labor between 34 and 37 weeks of gestation without clinical infection. Endocervical concentrations of inflammatory cytokines were assessed; immediately on admission and 48 h after administration of two doses of intramuscular betamethasone (12 mg/kg). Wilcoxon and Mann-Whitney tests along with χ(2) and Student's t tests were utilized for statistical analysis.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In the betamethasone group IL-1β and TNF-α significantly decreased (P<0.001), and IL-6 and IL-4 increased (P: NS). Among patients delivered before or on the 7th day of admission IL-6 and TNF-α were higher at the most significant levels (P<0.001) compared to IL-1β and IL-4 (P: 0.001, 0.002 in respect).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Betamethasone can help induce the down regulation of endocervical inflammatory cytokines in patients with preterm labor.
authors: Department of Perinatology, Vali-e-Asr Reproductive Health Research Center, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
authors: Sedigheh
authors: S
authors: Hantoushzadeh
authors: Pouya
authors: P
authors: Javadian
authors: Bahram
authors: B
authors: Salmanian
authors: Tooba
authors: T
authors: Ghazanfari
authors: Arezou
authors: A
authors: Kermani
authors: Fatemeh
authors: F
authors: Abbasalizadeh
authors: Farahnaz
authors: F
authors: Zandevakil
authors: Soghra
authors: S
authors: Khazardoost
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001623:Betamethasone / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D016207:Cytokines / Q000378:metabolism*; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D015536:Down-Regulation / Q000187:drug effects; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007249:Inflammation / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000378:metabolism; D007378:Interleukins / Q000378:metabolism; D007752:Obstetric Labor, Premature / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000209:etiology / Q000378:metabolism*; D010919:Placebos; D011247:Pregnancy; D011248:Pregnancy Complications / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000378:metabolism; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / Q000378:metabolism; D002577:Uterine Cervical Diseases / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000378:metabolism; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents; D016207:Cytokines; D007378:Interleukins; D010919:Placebos; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha; D001623:Betamethasone