Background: Intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy (ICP) is associated with adverse perinatal outcomes. Measurement of total bile acid (TBA) levels is most reliablel test. With growing interest in the inflammatory basis of ICP, the present study was undertaken to evaluate the association of inflammatory markers serum IL-6 and TNF-α levels with liver enzyme levels in women with ICP.

Objective: To measure levels of alanine transaminase (ALT) and aspartate transaminase (AST) and and TNF alpha in women with obstetric cholestasis and controls and find if there any association

Methods: This was a hospital-based case–control study to evaluate the association of serum IL-6 and TNF-α levels with liver enzyme levels in ICP cases and controls. ICP was confirmed by clinical as well as total bile acid level levels >10 μmol/L; ALT and/or AST, Interleukin-6 (IL-6) Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha (TNF-α) were estimated using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) kits. Statistical Analysis was done as required.

Results: There were 84 participants with 42 in each group. Mean ALT and AST were raised in cases, p < 0.001). A gradual increase in IL-6 and TNF-α levels was observed with increasing AST, ALT, and total bile acids among women with ICP. The levels were in increasing trends However, the differences between categories were not statistically significant (p > 0.05).

Conclusion: In conclusion, the present study demonstrates that although liver enzymes (ALT and AST) are significantly elevated in women with intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy, serum IL-6 and TNF-α levels do not show a significant association with hepatic enzyme levels or disease severity.