Elevated inflammation is a known risk factor in the pathogenesis of PTB. Despite intensive research, the etiology of idiopathic PTB is still unknown. The present study was designed to explore associations of blood concentrations of organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) with inflammatory/antioxidant gene expression, and cytokines and prostaglandin levels in PTB cases. Significantly high levels of α, β-hexachlorocyclohexane (α, β-HCH), dichlorodiphenyldichloroethane (o'p'-DDD), dichlorodiphenyldichloroethylene (p'p'-DDE), increased expression of cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), and decreased expression of manganese superoxide dismutase (Mn-SOD) and catalase (CAT) genes were seen in PTB cases. Also, increased protein levels of interleukin-6 (IL-6) and decreased protein levels of interleukin-4 (IL-4) and prostaglandin F2α (PGF2α) were found in maternal blood of PTB cases as compared to term controls. Elevated levels of β-HCH along with high expression of COX-2 gene or low expression of Mn-SOD or CAT genes were associated with the decrease in the period of gestation (POG).
Keywords: Cytokines; Gene–environment interactions; Organochlorine pesticides; Preterm birth; Prostaglandins; Women.
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