Analysis of the Concentrations of Interleukin 18 in Amniotic Fluid in the Second and the Third Trimesters of Pregnancy
Journal Title: Advances in Clinical and Experimental Medicine - Year 2013, Vol 22, Issue 5
Abstract
<strong>Background. </strong>Interleukin 18 (IL-18) is a glycoprotein produced by macrophages. IL-18 influences different populations of <em>T </em>lymphocytes and NK cells and stimulates the production of INF-<em>gamma </em>by these cells. IL-18 induces both Th1 and Th2 response. That is why IL-18 is a unique cytokine.<br /><strong>Objectives. </strong>The aim of work was to examine the concentration of interleukin 18 in amniotic fluid in the 2nd and the 3rd trimesters of physiological pregnancies.<br /><strong>Material and Methods. </strong>74 pregnant women were qualified to take part in the studies. The amniotic fluid samples by amniocentesis were taken from the patients. Two groups were distinguished among the examined patients: group I – 45 pregnant women qualified for genetic amniocentesis between the 15th and 19th week of pregnancy. All findings of the cytogenetic tests were normal. Group II: 29 pregnant women in their 3rd trimester were qualified for diagnostic amniocentesis in order to determine the biological maturity of the fetuses. The concentration of IL-18 was marked with the immunoenzymatic method ELISA with the use of the kit produced by the MBL company. Method sensitivity was < 12.5 pg/mL.<br /><strong>Results. </strong>In the 2nd trimester of pregnancy the average concentration of IL-18 in the amniotic fluid was 454.69 pg/mL and in the 3rd trimester was 71.73 pg/mL. The obtained data proved that the average concentration of IL-18 in the 2nd trimester was significantly higher than in the 3rd trimester. The obtained differences in the findings were statistically significant (p < 0.05).<br /><strong>Conclusions. </strong>The presence and high levels of IL-18 in the amniotic fluid in the 2nd trimester of pregnancy indicate an early process of initiation of immunological mechanisms by the fetus. An average concentration of IL-18 in the amniotic fluid was significantly higher in the 2nd trimester of pregnancy than in the 3rd trimester, which may indicate the influential role of IL-18 on the development of the immune response in the fetus in this period of gestation.
Authors and Affiliations
Dominika Klimkiewicz-Blok, Jerzy Florjański, Radosław Blok
Keywords
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