INTERLEUKIN-4, INTERLEUKIN-10, AND GRANULOCYTE-MACROPHAGE COLONY-STIMULATING FACTOR IN 2ND-TRIMESTER SERUM FROM WOMEN WITH PREECLAMPSIA

Objective: To evaluate the serum levels of interleukin-4, interleukin- 10, and granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor at the moment of diagnosis and in early second-trimester serum from women with pree clampsia and from gestational age-matched controls. Methods: Serum fro m 14 women with preeclampsia at the moment of diagnosis and 14 gestati onal age-matched controls was analyzed. In 10 cases and 10 controls, s econd-trimester serum also was studied. Cytokines were measured by spe cific enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Results: Serum levels of gran ulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor at the moment of diagnosi s were detected less frequently (21 compared with 71%, P < .01) and in lower concentrations (0 pg/mL [range 0-56] compared with 55.5 pg/mL [ range 0-105], P = .01) in women with preeclampsia as compared with con trols. In second-trimester serum, granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimul ating factor detection rates (20 and 70% respectively, P = .06) and co ncentrations (0 pg/mL [range 0-32] and 2.5 pg/mL [range 0-37], respect ively, P = .08) were lower in the group of preeclampsia, but the diffe rences do not reach statistical significance. Measurements regarding i nterleukin-4 and interleukin-10 were similar between both study groups . Conclusion: Differences in granulocyte-macrophage col ony-stimulatin g factor support the concept of the existence of an immunologic imbala nce as part of the etiologic mechanisms leading to preeclampsia. (Obst et Gynecol 1998;92: 849-53. (C) 1998 by The American College of Obstet ricians and Gynecologists.).