Effect of dexamethasone adjuvant therapy on immune function and liver function in patients with intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy

Objective To investigate the effect of dexamethasone adjuvant therapy on immune function and liver function in patients with intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy. Methods A total of 86 patients with intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy treated in the Affiliated Hospital of Medical School of Ningbo University from May, 2015 to May, 2017 were randomly divided into control group (n=43) and observation group (n=43) according to the random number table method. The patients in the control group were treated with adenosine methionine, and the patients in the observation group were treated with dexamethasone on the basis of the control group. The clinical efficacy, pregnancy outcomes and neonatal status, the changes of immune function and liver function were compared between the two groups. Results The total clinical efficiency of the observation group was significantly higher than that of the control group (P<0.05). The incidence of neonatal asphyxia and fetal distress in the observation group were significantly lower than those in the control group (P<0.05). The Apgar score of the observation group was significantly higher than that of the control group (P<0.05). After treatment, the levels of interleukin-12 (IL-12) and tumor necrosis factor- α(TNF-α) in both of two groups were significantly decreased than those before treament (P<0.05), and the levels of IL-12 and TNF-α in the observation group were significantly lower than those in the control group (P<0.05). After treatment, the levels of alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) in both of two groups were significantly decreased than those before treament (P<0.05), and the levels of ALT and AST in the observation group were significantly lower than those in the control group (P<0.05). Conclusion Dexamethasone is effective in the treatment of intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy. It can significantly improve the outcome of pregnancy and neonatal status, and improve the immune function and liver function of patients. It is worthy of promotion in clinical practice.