Betamethasone effects on the endocervical inflammatory cytokines in preterm labor: a randomized clinical trial.
Int Immunopharmacol 2011;
11:1116-9. [PMID:
21439397 DOI:
10.1016/j.intimp.2011.03.008]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/08/2010] [Revised: 02/04/2011] [Accepted: 03/09/2011] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
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.
STUDY DESIGN
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).
CONCLUSION
Betamethasone can help induce the down regulation of endocervical inflammatory cytokines in patients with preterm labor.
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