INTERLEUKIN-8 AND VASOMOTOR SYMPTOMS IN NATURAL AND SURGICALLY INDUCED MENOPAUSE

Objectives. The aim of this study was to evaluate serum levels of interleukin (IL)-8 in pre- and postmenopausal women and in patients with surgically-induced menopause, and the relationship between IL-8 and vasomotor symptoms. Material and Method. 175 women were enrolled and divided into 5 groups (I - Fertile women; II - Pre- and perimenopausal women; III - Postmenopausal women; IV - Surgically-induced menopause; V - Chronic inflammation). Multiplex cytolcine kits were used to evaluate serum levels of interleukin-8. We determined the serum levels of the follicle stimulating hormone, of the luteinizing hormone, 17 beta-estradiol, progesterone, dehydroepiandrosterone and dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate using sandwich ELISA. The severity of the vasomotor symptoms was evaluated according to FDA guidelines. Results. Serum concentration of IL-8 in women with natural menopause (233.0 +/- 226.5 pg/mL; p<0.001) and in women with surgically-induced menopause (148.0 +/- 162.0 pg/mL; p=0.045) is significantly higher than in women of reproductive age (84.88 +/- 82.32 pg/mL). Serum levels of IL-8 in premenopausal women, postmenopausal women, and in women with surgically-induced menopause, respectively, with severe and moderate hot flushes, on the one hand (174.8 +/- 90.94 pg/mL, 369.3 +/- 194.2 pg/mL, respectively 274.1 +/- 146.3 pg/mL), is significantly higher than in women without vasomotor symptoms or with mild hot flushes, on the other hand (19.97 +/- 22.15 pg/mL, 28.66 +/- 35.72 pg/mL, respectively 28.94 +/- 37.68 pg/mL; p<0.001). Serum levels of IL-8 are significantly higher in women of reproductive age with chronic inflammatory pathology (152.3 +/- 121.0 pg/mL) than in women without such pathology (84.88 +/- 82.32 pg/mL; p=0.02). Conclusions. IL-8 is significantly higher in postmenopausal women with vasomotor symptoms than in women without vasomotor symptoms. In the postmenopausal group, the serum levels of IL-8 are similar to those in women with chronic inflammatory pathology. IL-8 could be a key factor in occurrence of hot flushes in menopause and could be associated with peripheral vasodilatation in these women.