Association of urine Interleukin-8 (IL-8) with renal impairment in lupus patients

Abstract

Background: Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a chronic autoimmune disease with clinical manifestations that vary between individuals with progressive and irreversible SLE organ damage. Recently, it has become known that Interleukin-8 (IL-8) levels in the blood rise in SLE patients compared to healthy people. The increase of IL-8 causes kidney inflammation by promoting the release of the Neutrophil Extracellular Traps (NET) complex, which supports further renal damage. This study aims to evaluate the association of urine interleukin-8 with renal impairment in SLE patients. Methods: A total of 45 lupus participants—22 with and 23 without renal abnormalities—had their urine collected. The interleukin-8 concentration was measured using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA)—renal impairment criteria based on renal biopsy or ACR 1997 criteria. Mann-Whitney and Spearman correlation tests were employed in the statistical analysis. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 25.0 for Windows. Results: There was no significant difference in IL-8 urine levels between the SLE group with renal impairment (111.27±59.03 pg/ml) and the SLE group without renal impairment (125.76±66.62 pg/ml) was not significant (p=0.67). Urine IL-8 also did not significantly correlate with blood neutrophil count, leukocyte count and leukocyturia (p>0.05). Conclusion: In lupus patients, urine Interleukin-8 levels are not associated with renal impairment.