Interleukin-6 - a Marker of the Inflammatory Syndrome in Preeclampsia

D. Mihu, N. Costin, L. Sabău, M. Oancea, R. Ciortea, A. Maluţan

Abstract: Normal pregnancy is characterized by a controlled inflammatory state, localized at the level of the implant area during early stages, and generalized in the last trimester of pregnancy. Preeclampsia represents an exacerbation of systemic inflammatory response. Evaluation of IL-6 in the serum of preeclamptic pregnant women in the last trimester of pregnancy compared to normal pregnancy. Investigation of a possible relationship between the intensity of the inflammatory syndrome, the severity of preeclampsia, and fetal status at birth. A transversal study was performed in three groups of patients: group 1 (preeclampsia); group 2 (normal pregnancy); group 3 (control). The serum samples for the determination of IL-6 were processed using the HS human IL-6 Elisa kit. A significant positive correlation between serum IL-6 concentration and blood pressure values was found. A significant positive correlation was also obtained in preeclampsia between serum IL-6 concentration and uric acid concentration, as well as proteinuria. A significant negative correlation between serum IL-6 concentration, fetal weight at birth and the Apgar score of the newborn was found. Serum IL-6 concentration represents a marker of the severity of preeclamptic syndrome, being at the same time an accuracy predictor of fetal weight and status at birth.
Keywords: preeclampsia, interleukin-6, proinflammatory state, pregnancy