title: Role of inflammation in intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy (ICP), the most common liver disease in pregnancy, is characterized by elevated serum total bile acid and/or transaminase concentration, and pruritus. Interleukin-6 (IL-6) is a key regulator of the immune response, hematopoiesis and inflammation. We examined both IL-6 and the frequently used inflammatory marker high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) at baseline in the same study population as for the primary endpoint, in order to provide a new perspective on the pathogenesis of ICP.
  
  
  METHODS
  In this controlled cross-sectional study 65 consecutive pregnant women with ICP (34 with mild and 31 with severe disease) and 40 healthy women with uncomplicated pregnancies (control group) were examined. IL-6 and hs-CRP were compared between the groups.
  
  
  RESULTS
  While serum IL-6 was significantly higher in the mild ICP (P = 0.01) and severe ICP (P = 0.001) groups than in the control group, hs-CRP was similar between the groups.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Interleukin-6 may have an essential role, apart from CRP, in the pathogenesis of ICP and, also, is a more sensitive marker of inflammation.
authors.affiliation: Department of Perinatology, Zekai Tahir Burak Women's Health Education and Research Hospital, Ankara, Turkey.
authors.forename: Ebru
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Biberoglu
authors.affiliation: Department of Perinatology, Zekai Tahir Burak Women's Health Education and Research Hospital, Ankara, Turkey.
authors.forename: Ayse
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Kirbas
authors.affiliation: Department of Perinatology, Zekai Tahir Burak Women's Health Education and Research Hospital, Ankara, Turkey.
authors.forename: Korkut
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Daglar
authors.affiliation: Department of Perinatology, Zekai Tahir Burak Women's Health Education and Research Hospital, Ankara, Turkey.
authors.forename: Ozgur
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Kara
authors.affiliation: Department of Biostatistics, Hacettepe University Faculty of Medicine, Ankara, Turkey.
authors.forename: Erdem
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Karabulut
authors.affiliation: Department of Perinatology, Zekai Tahir Burak Women's Health Education and Research Hospital, Ankara, Turkey.
authors.forename: Halil Ibrahim
authors.initials: HI
authors.lastname: Yakut
authors.affiliation: Department of Perinatology, Zekai Tahir Burak Women's Health Education and Research Hospital, Ankara, Turkey.
authors.forename: Nuri
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Danisman
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D002097:C-Reactive Protein / Q000378:metabolism*; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D002780:Cholestasis, Intrahepatic / Q000097:blood*; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007249:Inflammation / Q000097:blood*; D015850:Interleukin-6 / Q000097:blood*; D011247:Pregnancy; D011248:Pregnancy Complications / Q000097:blood*; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: C508600:IL6 protein, human; D015850:Interleukin-6; D002097:C-Reactive Protein
keywords: C-reactive protein; bile acid; hepatocellular injury; interleukin-6