Serum Levels of Pro- and Anti-Inflammatory Cytokines in Threatened Miscarriage in Pregnant Women within Owerri Metropolis, Nigeria

Abstract

Pregnancy is a biological process whereby complex cytokine network play an important role. The phenomenon of pregnancy can be compromised by a number of complications, such as threatened miscarriage which could be as a result of cellular immune effectors. This study assessed the serum levels of pro (TNF-alpha and IL-2) and anti-inflammatory (IL-4 and IL-10) cytokines in threatened miscarriage in pregnant women within Owerri metropolis. A total of 140 women were recruited for this study; 60 pregnant women with threat of miscarriage and 40 apparently healthy pregnant women with no history of miscarriage, as well as 40 apparently healthy non pregnant women, who served as controls. Serum levels of Tumor Necrosis Factor (TNF) alpha, Interleukin-2 (IL-2), Interleukin-4 (IL-4) and Interleukin-10 (IL-10) were determined using Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay techniques. Data were expressed as median and analyzed using Mann-Whitney test and Kruskal Wallis test, while anthropometric data were obtained using standard methods. P values ≤0.05 were considered significant. Reproductive, medical information as well as information on lifestyle of the subjects were gathered with the aid of a questionnaire.