Comparison of bone resorption-related cytokines in acute and chronic brucellosis

Abstract

Objective To observe interleukin-6 (IL-6), interleukin-17 (IL-17), and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) levels in acute and chronic brucellosis before and after antibiotics treatment in order to assess the bone resorption. Methods Using group design, 36 acute and 36 chronic brucellosis before antibiotics treatment, and 36 acute and 36 chronic brucellosis after antibiotics treatment from the Endemic Disease Prevention and Control Center of Ulanqab City were selected as the research subjects, with 25 local healthy persons as the healthy control group from January to April 2017. Enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) method was used to determine the serum levels of IL-6, IL-17, and TNF-α in acute brucellosis, chronic brucellosis and control groups before and after antibiotics treatment. Results The means of IL-6 [(23.19 ± 2.51), (21.93 ± 2.27), (14.52 ± 2.08) ng/L], IL-17 [(23.55 ± 2.24), (21.43 ± 2.44), (13.69 ± 1.85) ng/L], and TNF-α [(478.97 ± 47.11), (434.67 ± 42.11), (290.19 ± 34.67) ng/L] were significantly different in the acute brucellosis, chronic brucellosis and control groups before antibiotics treatment (F= 113.91, 152.88, 153.49, P 0.05). Conclusions This study shows that before antibiotics treatment, the bone resorption-related cytokines IL-6, IL-17, and TNF-α of acute brucellosis are higher than those of chronic brucellosis. Antibiotic treatment can significantly reduce their levels and may affect bone resorption in patients with brucellosis. Key words: Interleukin-6; Interleukin-17; Tumor necrosis factor-α; Brucellosis