Role of leucocyte caspase-1 activity in epidural-related maternal fever: a single-centre, observational, mechanistic cohort study

Abstract Background Epidural-related maternal fever (ERMF) has been reported in ∼26% of labouring women. The underlying mechanisms remain unclear. We hypothesised that ERMF is promoted by bupivacaine disrupting cytokine production/release from mononuclear leucocytes [mononuclear fraction (MNF)]. We examined whether bupivacaine (i) reduces caspase-1 activity and release of the anti-pyrogenic cytokine interleukin (IL)-1 receptor antagonist (IL-1ra), and (ii) is pro-inflammatory through mitochondrial injury/IL-1β. Methods In labouring women, blood samples were obtained before/after epidural analgesia was implemented. Maternal temperature was recorded hourly for the first 4 h of epidural analgesia. Time-matched samples/temperatures were obtained from labouring women without epidural analgesia, pregnant non-labouring, and non-pregnant women. The primary clinical outcome was change in maternal temperature over 4 h after the onset of siting epidural catheter/enrolment. The secondary clinical outcome was development of ERMF (temperature ≥ 38°C). The effect of bupivacaine/saline on apoptosis, caspase-1 activity, intracellular IL-1ra, and plasma IL-1ra/IL-1β ratio was quantified in MNF from labouring women or THP-1 monocytes (using flow cytometry, respirometry, or enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay). Results Maternal temperature increased by 0.06°C h–1 [95% confidence interval (CI): 0.03–0.09; P=0.003; n=38] after labour epidural placement. ERMF only occurred in women receiving epidural analgesia (five of 38; 13.2%). Bupivacaine did not alter MNF or THP-1 apoptosis compared with saline control, but reduced caspase-1 activity by 11% (95% CI: 5–17; n=10) in MNF from women in established labour. Bupivacaine increased intracellular MNF IL-1ra by 25% (95% CI: 10–41; P Conclusions Impaired release of anti-pyrogenic IL-1ra might explain ERMF mechanistically. Immunomodulation by bupivacaine during labour could promote ERMF.