Ginekologia i Poloznictwo
ISSN 1896-3315 e-ISSN 1898-0759

Evaluation of the role of interleukin-4 with doppler studies in pregnancy induced hypertension and its relation to the fetal outcome

Abdelghaffar S Dawood^* and Naglaa Hussien ^*Correspondence: Abdelghaffar S Dawood, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Tanta University, Tanta, Egypt, Email:

Received: 21-Jun-2022, Manuscript No. gpmp-22-67267; Editor assigned: 22-Jun-2022, Pre QC No. P-67267; Reviewed: 20-Jul-2022, QC No. Q-67267; Revised: 08-Aug-2022, Manuscript No. R-67267; Published: 30-Sep-2022

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Introduction

Preeclampsia (PE) is one of specific hypertensive disorders of human pregnancy that is diagnosed by appearance of hypertension, proteinuia with or without pathological edema after 20 weeks gestation, and it is one of the important leading causes of fetal and maternal morbidity and mortality [1].

Many cytokines have been suggested to be implicated in the pathogenesis of PE which include: TNF- a, Interlleukin(IL)-1 ,IL-2 and IL–6 [2]. IL-4 has dichotomous role in pregnancy, as normotensive pregnancy is associated with high levels of IL-4 in the first half of pregnancy, but in the second half and in the puerperium high levels of IL-4 are associated with PE [3]. IL4 were predominant in the second and third trimesters of normal pregnancy but Th1 hence INF gamma predominated in preeclamptic patients [4].

The Doppler velocimetry is helpful in predicting patients at risk, who will develop PE, as well as for studying uterine and fetal vascular blood flow for studying and evaluation of fetal well-being in utero and risk of jeopardy [5]. Meanwhile, Doppler velocimetry studies of placenta, umbilical and fetal circulation can provide important information regarding fetal wellbeing providing an opportunity to predict poor perinatal fetal outcome and to improve fetal outcome in preeclamptic and hypertensive pregnant women [6].

Aim of the work

The aim of this work is to study the relationship of serum IL-4 and the development and degree of PE and the reflection of this syndrome on uterine and fetal blood flow detected by umbilical & uterine Doppler studies and its relation to fetal outcome.

Materials and Methods

This study was carried out on 80 pregnant women admitted in the obstertric and gynecology department of a university hospital, during the period from April 2020 to October 2021. For all groups an oral and written informed consent was obtained.

Case selection

This study included three groups according to inclusion and exclusion criteria:

1. The control group (normal pregnancy): included 20 normal pregnant women with normal blood pressure and no protienuria.

2. The second group included 30 pregnant women with mild PE; systolic blood pressure is 140-159 mmHg and diastolic blood pressure is 90-109 mmHg with mild protenuria (1+to 2+by dip stick strip) with or without edema.

3. The third group included 30 pregnant women with severe PE; systolic blood pressure is 160 mmHg or more and diastolic blood pressure is 110 mmHg or more with heavy proteinuria (>2+by dip stick strip) with or without edema.

Inclusion criteria:

• Primigravida in the third trimester from 30-36 weeks, with singleton pregnancy, not in labor and gestational age calculated by LMP and confirmed by an early 2nd trimesteric ultrasonograghy.

• Normotensive in early pregnancy in all groups.

• No medications were received during the present pregnancy except tonics.

Exclusion criteria:

• Any medical disorders: e.g. renal, diabetes mellitus, essential hypertension or liver diseases.

• Any obstetric complications, e.g. premature rupture of membranes (PROM), Antepartum haemorrhage, and post term.

Methods

• All groups were subjected to history taking, general examination and routine laboratory investigations then they were subjected to special investigations which included:

• Estimation of serum IL-4 according to Banchereau [7].

• This cytokine was assayed by immunoenzymatic method for the measurement of human IL-4 in the frozen serum specimen by using Biosource Europe S.A. IL-4 EASIA kit Belgium.

Ultrasonographic and Doppler studies

Ultrasound examination was done for all cases for estimation of the gestational age, placental grading, amniotic fluid turbidity& volume. Then Doppler examination using pulsed wave Doppler equipment to obtain the arterial flow velocity waveform “FVW” of the umbilical and uterine arteries.(S/D ratio, RI and PI indices were estimated for each vessel).

Follow up

All cases were followed up until delivery for the assessment of:

• Fetal outcome

• Gestational age at delivery

• Birth weight

• Apgar score: 1& 5 minutes, also Apgar score equal or less than 7 at 5 minutes.

Results

There is no significant difference between control and PE groups as regards age and gestational age (at sampling) but there is high significant difference between both groups as regards systolic, diastolic and mean arterial pressure, as the blood pressure, (MAP) are highly increased in preeclampsia (Tab. 1.).

Tab. 1. The mean values of clinical findings’ of the control and Pre-eclamptic groups.

IL-4 was significantly higher when comparing PE groups with control group, also when comparing severe with mild PE (Tab. 2.). Doppler indices (S/D ratio, RI and PI) for umbilical artery showed a high significant increase when comparing mild and severe PE groups with control group and when comparing severe with mild PE groups. There was also a high significant increase when comparing mild or severe PE groups with control group in proprotion to uterine artery Doppler indices (S/D ratio , RI and PI) this was also significant when comparing severe with mild PE but there is no significant difference between all groups regarding uterine arteries Doppler index RI (Tab. 3.).

Tab. 2. Serum IL-4 level (pg/ml) in studied groups.

Tab. 3. Doppler indices (S/D ratio , RI and PI)of umbilical artery and uterine artery in studied groups

The mean values of gestational age and fetal weight at birth are high significantly lower when we compare mild or severe PE groups with control group and when compare severe with mild PE groups, and there are a high significant lower in Apgar score value at 1 minute of birth when compare severe PE group with control group and when compare severe with mild PE groups. Also there is high significant increase in Apgar score value at 5minute, when compare control group with mild or severe PE groups, and when compare mild with severe PE (Tab. 4.).

Tab. 4. Mean values of fetal outcome parameters (Gestational Age (Wt) at delivery, Birth weight (Kg) and Apgar score at 1&5 min) in studied groups.

There is a very high significant positive correlation between IL-4 and Umbilical Doppler Indices S/D ratio, RI, PI. The Correlation also is significant for uterine Doppler Indices (SD, RI) (Tab. 5 & 6.). IL-4 level showed a high significant negative correlation to fetal outcome parameters (gestational age and weight at birth and Apgar score 1, 5 min. after birth) (Tab. 7.).

Tab. 5. Correlation between IL-4 and umbilical artery Doppler indices.

Tab. 6. Correlation between IL-4 and uterine artery Doppler indices.

Tab. 7. Correlation between IL-4 and fetal outcome parameters.

Discussion and Conclusion

The results of this study show that there is high significant increase in IL-4 serum level in PE (mild and severe) as compared to normotensive patients also the level is increased in severe compared to mild cases. There is high significant positive Correlation between serum IL4 level and Umbilical & Uterine arteries Doppler Indices (S/D ratio RI & PI) and highly significant negative correlation with fetal outcome parameters.

This study agrees with Kumar & Das who concluded that IL-4 levels were significantly higher in maternal blood of PE patient. As a strong indication of linkage imbalance of susceptible gene of PE and HLA class II DR4 haplo type. It may be important in immunorecognition and immunosuppression. The reduced secretion of nitric oxide due to high levels of IL-4 causing vasoconstriction and hypertension may therefore be implicated in pathophysiology of several diseases including PE [8,9].

On the other hand, Santiago et al., demonstrated that Th1/Th2 correlated well with cytokines, TNF-α and IL-4 secretion level respectively and Th2 cells hence IL-4 were predominant in the second and third trimesters of normal pregnancy but Th1 hence TNF-α predominated in PE patients [10,11].

Also, Monocytes from cancer patients treated with recombinant human IL-4, showed significant decrease in PGE2 and increase in superoxide anion production which shifts the PGI2/TXA2 balance in favor of TXA2 enhancing platelet aggregation and vasoconstriction; It can be cytotoxic to cells by oxidative conversion of unsaturated fatty acids present in the cell membrane to lipid peroxides damaging the endothelial cells causing thrombosis when interacting with the plasma coagulation system [12].

The pathogenesis of PE is largely a consequence of eicosanoid imbalance with relative vasodilator deficiency. The relative lack of vasodilatation with defective internal secretion of PGE2 and PGI2 will lead to diminished renal blood Flow, glomerular filtration rate, urea clearance, and sodium excretion [13].

In this study, there is high significant increase when compare mild or severe PE with control group and when compare severe with mild PE groups in proportions of umbilical artery Doppler indices (S/D ratio, RI and PI). These results are in agreement with the results of AbdelAal and Meki. The explanation of this finding may be related to the fact that Doppler waveforms in any vascular tree are related to resistance distal to the point of measurement [14,15]. This has been shown by histopathologic correlation. A decrease in diastolic flow, indicated by an elevated RI, reflects an increase in downstream placental resistance. The most extreme form of this pathologic condition results in the absence or reversal of diastolic flow velocity in the umbilical artery [16].

The present study show that a very highly significant positive correlation between IL-4 and Umbilical Doppler Indices S/D ratio, RI, PI. There is high significant negative correlation between umbilical arteries S/D ratio RI & PI and fetal outcome Parameters. These abnormal changes in PE suggest increased placental vascular resistance, vasospasm in the umbilical arteries and they are in accord with the results of Lumme R, et al. [17] and Kalder M, et al. [18].

In this study, There is highly significant increase when compare mild or severe PE with control group in proportions of uterine artery Doppler indices (S/D ratio, RI and PI) and a significant increase when compare severe with mild PE groups in proprotion to uterine artery Doppler indices (S/D ratio, and PI) but there is no significant difference regarding uterine arteries Doppler index RI.

The pathophysiology of PE includes impaired trophoblastic invasion of spiral arteries with subsequent decrease in uteroplacental blood flow. The changes are reflected on flow velocity waveforms where there is failure of development of low resistance velocity flow in the uterine arteries [19].

In this study, The mean values of gestational age at birth and fetal birth weight were significantly lower in PE groups than control group, again they were significantly lower in severe than mild PE group. The 1 and 5 minute Apgar score was significantly lower in severe than mild PE and the control group. Also 10% and 46.6% of mild & severe PE groups, respectively, were admitted to NICU without any case in control group. There is convincing evidence supporting that IL-4 and IL-10 favor fetal survival and growth and are likely involved in the immunoprotective bias of normal pregnancy [20].

Although there was no new findings but this study confirmed previous observations.

First: IL-4 plays a role in pathogenesis of PE with a disparate effect on its severity with bad effect on fetal outcomes.

Second: IL-4 has a direct correlation with the severity of PE.

Third: IL-4 may have a role in prediction of PE although this has to be tested in further studies.

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