Cytokine profiles of women with vulvodynia: Identification of a panel of pro-inflammatory molecular targets. (July 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Zanotta, Nunzia; Campisciano, Giuseppina; Scrimin, Federica; Ura, Blendi; Marcuzzi, Annalisa; Vincenti, Ezio; Crovella, Sergio; Comar, Manola
• Is Part Of: European journal of obstetrics, gynecology, and reproductive biology. Volume 226(2018)
• Page Start: 66
• Page End: 70
• Publication Date: 2018-07
• Subjects: Cytokines -- Inflammation -- Local pain -- Vulvodynia; Obstetrics -- Periodicals; Gynecology -- Periodicals; Reproductive health -- Periodicals; Gynecology -- Periodicals; Obstetrics -- Periodicals; Reproduction -- Periodicals; Obstétrique -- Périodiques; Gynécologie -- Périodiques; Reproduction -- Périodiques; Verloskunde; Gynaecologie; Voortplanting (biologie); Gynecology; Obstetrics; Reproduction; Electronic journals; Periodicals; Electronic journals; 618.05
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ejogrb.2018.05.035
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0301-2115

Abstract

Abstract: Objective: The vulvar pain syndrome (VPS) is a multifactorial disease severely influencing the lifestyle of affected women. Among possible etiological factors, local injury, peripheral and/or central sensitization of the nervous system, and a chronic inflammatory status have been positively associated with the development of VPS. The identification of a constitutive altered local inflammatory profile in VPS women may represent an important point in the characterization of patients' phenotype as a useful marker influencing the vulvar micro-environment. The aim of this study was to investigative the possible role of the local cytokines production in women with VPS in comparison to healthy women. Study design: In this study were collected vaginal swabs from 57 healthy women (HC) who never suffered from VPS and from 30 patients diagnosed with vulvodynia (VPS) by at least 3 years and currently symptomatic. All patients included in this study showed the absence of Sexually Transmitted (STD) diseases and Reproductive Tract Infection. Real-time PCR was performed to assess the genomic sequences of ST pathogens. The Luminex Bio-Plex platform was used for the analysis of a panel of 48 immune factors. Results: Eleven molecules, specifically involved in the pro-inflammatory pathway were significantly modulated in VPS patients in comparison to healthy women, suggesting a persistent inflammatory process. Conclusions: Therefore, these inflammatory factors could be possible biological markers involved in this disease. Nevertheless, other studies are needed to consider this specific immune profile as a valid marker of the vulvodynia.