Contribution of plasma, placental, inflammatory and pro-resolving mediators in labor induction

Introduction: The onset of labor is regulated by endocrine, nervous and immunological factors. This study was designed to determine the inflammatory and pro-resolving mediator levels in plasma and placenta of women undergoing labor induction in late-term pregnancy. Method: Healthy pregnant women admitted for delivery or labor induction were included. TNF, IL-1 beta, IL-6, IL-8, and IL-10 were quantified by ELISA in plasmatic and placental samples and Annexin A1 (ANXA1) in the placenta by Western Blotting, and immunofluorescence to CD15+ antibody. The data were analyzed using the Wilcoxon test and Spearman correlation. The p-value was significant when <0.05. Results: There was a higher concentration of IL-8 was found in the amniotic plaque (p = 0.042) and IL-10 (p < 0.001) in the trophoblast of patients with spontaneous labor. Greater ANXA1 density in the trophoblast was also observed in those with induction failure. There was a positive correlation of ANXA1 density in trophoblast induction duration with (r = 0.580) and with the IL-6 level in amniotic plaque (r = 0.517), and a positive correlation between labor duration and density of ANXA1 was identified in the trophoblast (r = 0.419). An increase was identified in CD15+ cell immunocapturing among the groups with spontaneous labor compared to the group with induction failure (p < 0.001). Discussion: The inflammatory process in labor involves both maternal and fetal participation. Induction failure is associated with higher levels of ANXA1 in the trophoblast.

Automated summary

This study investigated the levels of inflammatory and pro-resolving mediators in women undergoing labor induction in late-term pregnancy. The results showed that induction failure was associated with higher levels of ANXA1 in the trophoblast.