Int. J. Curr. Res. Med. Sci. (2019). 5(12): 24-30 24 International Journal of Current Research in Medical Sciences ISSN: 2454-5716 P-ISJN: A4372-3064, E -ISJN: A4372-3061 www.ijcrims.com Original Research Article Volume 5, Issue 12 -2019 Studies on some cytokines of apparently healthy Nigerian women aged 10-40 years Obeagu Emmanuel Ifeanyi 1,2 , Vincent C.C.N 3 and Chinedu-Madu Jane Ugochi 2 1 Medical Laboratory Science, University Health Services, Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike, Abia State, Nigeria 2 Department of Medical Laboratory Science, Imo State University, Owerri, Nigeria 3 Department of Nursing Science, Imo State University, Owerri, Nigeria *Corresponding author: emmanuelobeagu@yahoo.com Abstract The study was done to determine the levels TNF, IL-10, IL-6 and IL-4 in apparently healthy Nigeria women. A total of one hundred and fifty (150) subjects were recruited for the study comprising 50 subjects each for each age group drawn from apparently healthy women from Umuahia. Five milliliters (5ml) of venous blood was collected from each subject and was dispensed into plain containers to obtain serum for the assay of the cytokines. The cytokes were determined by Melsin ELISA kits. The results were expressed as mean± standard deviation. The data were analysed with the statistical package for social science (SPSS) version 21 using t-test, ANOVA and the level of significance was set at P<0.05. The results showed decrease (P<0.05) in IL-10 (20.73±2.05iu/l, 26.13±12.22iu/l, P0.036), when compared among the age groups of the women and no significant difference (P>0.05) in TNF (10.81±0.10iu/l, 10.32±1.21iu/l, P=0.827), IL-4(11.90±8.46iu/l, 44.45±37.95iu/l, P=0.346) and IL-6 (17.73±3.03iu/l, 17.81±2.58iu/l, P=0.543) when compared among the groups. The study showed no significant difference (P>0.05) in TNF (10.81±0.10iu/l, 10.65±1.62iu/l, P=0.862), IL-10 (20.73±2.05iu/l, 26.13±12.22iu/l, P=0.588), IL-4 (11.90±8.46iu/l, 44.45±37.95iu/l, P=0.169) and IL-6 (17.73±3.03iu/l, 17.81±2.58iu/l, P=0.961) when compared between women of 10-20 years and 21-30 years age groups respectively. The results showed no significant difference (P>0.05) in TNF (10.81±0.10iu/l, 10.32±1.21iu/l, P=0.630), IL-10 (20.73±2.05iu/l, 42.54±29.49iu/l, P=0.056), IL-4 (11.90±8.46iu/l, 48.73±15.48iu/l, P=0.165) and IL-6 (17.73±3.03iu/l, 18.97±3.01iu/l, P=0.498) when compared between women of 10-20 years and 31-40 years age groups respectively. The results showed decrease (P<0.05) in IL-10 (26.13±12.22iu/l, 42.54±29.49iu/l, P=0.015) and no significant difference (P>0.05) in TNF (10.65±1.62iu/l, 10.32±1.21iu/l, P=0.576), IL-4 (44.45±37.95iu/l, 48.73±15.48iu/l, P=0.780) and IL-6 (17.81±2.58iu/l, 18.97±3.01iu/l, P=0.279) when compared between women of 10-20 years and 31-40 years age groups respectively. The study showed significant changes among the age groups when interleukin 10 was compared which has multiple effects but plays anti-inflammatory role. Interleukin 10 should be adequately monitored among these women who are at reproductive age to avert immunologically induced diseases. Keywords: TNF, IL-4, IL-6, IL-10, apparently healthy Nigerian women aged 10-40 years. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.22192/ijcrms.2019.05.12.004