CLARA CELL PROTEIN - CONCENTRATIONS IN CEREBROSPINAL-FLUID, SERUM ANDAMNIOTIC-FLUID

Clara cell protein (CC16) is an endogenous anti-inflammatory agent. It is produced mainly in the respiratory and urogenital tracts. CC16 has been quantified in serum, but not in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), The a im of this study was to examine CSF CC16 in relation to age, gender an d serum CC16, and to examine CC16 levels in parturients, If CC16 level s are increased with age and during pregnancy, it may be responsible f or the attenuation of inflammatory diseases such as multiple sclerosis during these conditions. CC16 was measured in CSF and serum taken jus t before Caesarean section (n = 33) or just before an elective surgica l procedure in females (n = 52) or males (n = 31), Fetal serum, amniot ic fluid, and maternal urine were also sampled during Caesarean sectio n. CC16 levels in CSF did not differ between parturients and an age an d gender matched non-pregnant group, but was higher in male than in fe male patients. There was a significant and positive relationship betwe en age and CSF CC16 levels and between serum and CSF CC16 levels. Feta l CC16 was significantly and positively correlated with amniotic fluid CC16, The present study suggests that CC16 found in CSF originates fr om passive diffusion from blood, and that CC16 found in amniotic fluid is derived from the fetal lung. During pregnancy, CC16 does not appea r to contribute to alterations which occur in the progression of infla mmatory disorders. (C) 1998 Academic Press Limited.