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Role of inflammation in intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy
Author(s) -
Biberoglu Ebru,
Kirbas Ayse,
Daglar Korkut,
Kara Ozgur,
Karabulut Erdem,
Yakut Halil Ibrahim,
Danisman Nuri
Publication year - 2016
Publication title -
journal of obstetrics and gynaecology research
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.597
H-Index - 50
eISSN - 1447-0756
pISSN - 1341-8076
DOI - 10.1111/jog.12902
Subject(s) - medicine , cholestasis of pregnancy , pathogenesis , gastroenterology , inflammation , cholestasis , pregnancy , c reactive protein , population , immunology , fetus , genetics , environmental health , biology
Aim Intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy (ICP), the most common liver disease in pregnancy, is characterized by elevated serum total bile acid and/or transaminase concentration, and pruritus. Interleukin‐6 (IL‐6) is a key regulator of the immune response, hematopoiesis and inflammation. We examined both IL‐6 and the frequently used inflammatory marker high‐sensitivity C‐reactive protein (hs‐CRP) at baseline in the same study population as for the primary endpoint, in order to provide a new perspective on the pathogenesis of ICP. Methods In this controlled cross‐sectional study 65 consecutive pregnant women with ICP (34 with mild and 31 with severe disease) and 40 healthy women with uncomplicated pregnancies (control group) were examined. IL‐6 and hs‐CRP were compared between the groups. Results While serum IL‐6 was significantly higher in the mild ICP ( P = 0.01) and severe ICP ( P = 0.001) groups than in the control group, hs‐CRP was similar between the groups. Conclusion Interleukin‐6 may have an essential role, apart from CRP, in the pathogenesis of ICP and, also, is a more sensitive marker of inflammation.