Comparison of serum levels of IL-6, IL-8, TNF-α, C reactive protein and heat shock protein 70 in patients with active or inactive Behçet’s disease

Abstract

The aim of this study was to elucidate serum levels of IL-6, IL-8, TNF-a, CRP, and HSP 70 in patients with active or inactive Behcet's disease. Materials and methods: The study included 50 patients who met the International Study Group criteria for Behcet's disease. Of these, 26 had active disease and 24 had inactive disease. The control group was comprised of 25 age- and sex-matched healthy participants. Serum levels of IL-6, IL-8, TNF-a, CRP, and HSP 70 were measured. Results: In patients with active disease, significantly higher mean serum levels of IL-6, IL-8, TNF-a, and CRP were found compared to patients with inactive disease or in controls (overall, P < 0.05). In patients with active disease, the mean serum level of HSP 70 was significantly higher than that of the control group (P = 0.02). In patients with inactive disease it was higher compared to the controls but with a significance level close to 0.05 (P = 0.044). However, HSP 70 levels did not differ significantly between patients with active disease and patients with inactive disease (P = 0.93). Conclusion: The results of our study suggest that serum IL-6, IL-8, TNF-a, and CRP levels are increased in patients with active Behcet's disease. HSP 70 levels in both active and inactive disease groups were higher than in controls, though it was significant only in the active group. This suggests that HSP 70 has a role in the chronic nature of Behcet's disease, with HSP 70 expression possibly not falling to normal levels in the inactive phase of the disease.