OBJECTIVE: To investigate the content of tumor necrosis factor alpha, interleukin-1 beta, interleukin-6 and interleukin-8 messenger ribonucleic acid (mRNA) in the lower uterine segment during term parturition. STUDY DESIGN: mRNA extracts from the lower uterine segment obtained from 53 women undergoing non-elective caesarean section at term were analyzed by semi-quantitative reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction. The patients were grouped according to cervical dilatation (less than 2 cm, n=18; 2 to less than 4 cm, n=13; 4-6 cm, n=7; more than 6 cm, n=15) at the time of caesarean section. RESULTS: Interleukin-1 beta and interleukin-8 mRNA-contents at more than 6 cm cervical dilation were significantly higher than at less than 2 cm. The levels of interleukin-6 were already significantly increased in the 4-6 cm group, while the tumor necrosis factor alpha ribonucleic acid content did not change during parturition. CONCLUSION: The process of cervical dilatation during parturition at term is associated with an increased expression of interleukin-1 beta, interleukin-6 and interleukin-8 mRNA in the lower uterine segment. These findings support the theory that the activation of the inflammatory network plays an important role in the progress of cervical dilatation.
OBJECTIVE: To investigate the content of tumor necrosis factor alpha, interleukin-1 beta, interleukin-6 and interleukin-8 messenger ribonucleic acid (mRNA) in the lower uterine segment during term parturition. STUDY DESIGN: mRNA extracts from the lower uterine segment obtained from 53 women undergoing non-elective caesarean section at term were analyzed by semi-quantitative reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction. The patients were grouped according to cervical dilatation (less than 2 cm, n=18; 2 to less than 4 cm, n=13; 4-6 cm, n=7; more than 6 cm, n=15) at the time of caesarean section. RESULTS:Interleukin-1 beta and interleukin-8 mRNA-contents at more than 6 cm cervical dilation were significantly higher than at less than 2 cm. The levels of interleukin-6 were already significantly increased in the 4-6 cm group, while the tumor necrosis factor alpha ribonucleic acid content did not change during parturition. CONCLUSION: The process of cervical dilatation during parturition at term is associated with an increased expression of interleukin-1 beta, interleukin-6 and interleukin-8 mRNA in the lower uterine segment. These findings support the theory that the activation of the inflammatory network plays an important role in the progress of cervical dilatation.