IL-6 and TNFα across the umbilical circulation in term pregnancies: Relationship with labour events

Duncombe, Greg; Veldhuizen, Ruud A.W.; Gratton, Robert J.; Han, Victor K.M.; Richardson, Bryan S.

doi:10.1016/j.earlhumdev.2010.01.027

« Previous Next »Early Human Development
Volume 86, Issue 2 , Pages 113-117, February 2010

IL-6 and TNFα across the umbilical circulation in term pregnancies: Relationship with labour events☆

Greg Duncombe
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Children Health Research Institute, University of Western Ontario, London, Canada
Ruud A.W. Veldhuizen
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Children Health Research Institute, University of Western Ontario, London, Canada
Robert J. Gratton
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Children Health Research Institute, University of Western Ontario, London, Canada
Victor K.M. Han
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Children Health Research Institute, University of Western Ontario, London, Canada
- Department of Pediatrics, Children Health Research Institute, University of Western Ontario, London, Canada
Bryan S. Richardson
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Children Health Research Institute, University of Western Ontario, London, Canada
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Children Health Research Institute, University of Western Ontario, London, Canada
- Department of Pediatrics, Children Health Research Institute, University of Western Ontario, London, Canada
- Corresponding author. Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, The University of Western Ontario, 268 Grosvenor St, Room B3-041, London ON Canada N6A 4V2. Tel.: +1 519 646 6106; fax: +1 519 646 6213.

Received 9 December 2009; received in revised form 26 January 2010; accepted 29 January 2010.

Abstract

Objective

We have determined venous and arterial cord blood levels for IL-6 and TNFα at the time of delivery to assess gestational tissue versus fetal sources in labouring and non-labouring patients at term, and the relationship to labour events.

Methods

Fifty-five patients were studied (elective cesarean section n=24, and labouring n=31) with blood sampling from a clamped segment of cord after delivery of the fetus and from the cord at its insertion into the placenta after delivery of the placenta, with subsequent measurement of blood gases, pH, IL-6 and TNFα.

Results

Umbilical cord levels for IL-6 were increased by 4 fold in low risk labouring patients, and a further 6 fold when showing histologic chorioamnionitis, but with no evident effect of nuchal cord with ‘variable’ fetal heart rate decelerations, fetal acidemia, nor of labour duration. IL-6 levels from the cord at its insertion into the placenta were generally higher than those from the respective umbilical levels indicating that placental release of IL-6 into cord blood must be occurring. However, a consistent venoarterial difference for IL-6 and thereby a net flux from the placenta could not be demonstrated. TNFα levels for both patient groups were uniformly low for all of the cord measurements with no significant differences noted.

Conclusion

Umbilical cord levels for IL-6 are increased in low risk labouring patients at term in the absence of evident infection which likely involves both gestational tissue and fetal contributions. Cord levels for IL-6 are further increased in low risk labouring patients showing histologic chorioamnionitis which might then contribute to newborn morbidity in these pregnancies.

Keywords: IL-6, TNFα, Umbilical circulation, Term labour

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☆ Umbilical cord levels for IL-6 are increased in low risk labouring patients at term without evidence of infection when compared to non-labouring patients delivered by elective cesarean section.

PII: S0378-3782(10)00038-1

doi:10.1016/j.earlhumdev.2010.01.027

« Previous Next »Early Human Development
Volume 86, Issue 2 , Pages 113-117, February 2010

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