Interleukin-6 Levels In Patients Research Articles

Interleukin-10 and tumour necrosis factor-alpha serum levels in chronic Chagas disease patients.

In Chagas disease, chronically infected individuals may be asymptomatic or may present cardiac or digestive complications, and it is well known that the human immune response is related to different clinical manifestations. Different patterns of cytokine levels have been previously described in different clinical forms of this disease, but contradictory results are reported. Our aim was to evaluate the serum levels of interleukin-10 and tumour necrosis factor-alpha in patients with asymptomatic and cardiac Chagas disease. The serum interleukin-10 levels in patients with cardiomyopathy were higher than those in asymptomatic patients, mainly in those without heart enlargement. Although no significant difference was observed in serum tumour necrosis factor-alpha levels among the patients, we found that cardiac patients also present high levels of this cytokine, largely those with heart dilatation. Therefore, these cytokines play an important role in chronic Chagas disease cardiomyopathy. Follow-up investigations of these and other cytokines in patients with chronic Chagas disease need to be conducted to improve the understanding of the immunopathology of this disease.

NLRC4 Inflammasome Is an Important Regulator of Interleukin-18 Levels in Patients With Acute Coronary Syndromes: Genome-Wide Association Study in the PLATelet inhibition and patient Outcomes Trial (PLATO).

Interleukin 18 (IL-18) promotes atherosclerotic plaque formation and is increased in patients with acute coronary syndromes. However the relative contribution of genetic variants to the IL-18 levels has not been fully determined. Baseline plasma IL-18 levels were measured in 16 633 patients with acute coronary syndrome, of whom 9340 had genetic data that passed genotype quality control. A 2-stage genome-wide association study was performed, followed by combined analyses using >10 million genotyped or imputed genetic markers. Single nucleotide polymorphisms at 3 loci (IL18, NLRC4, and MROH6) were identified (P<3.15×10(-8)) in the discovery cohort (n=3777) and replicated in the remaining patients (n=5563). In the pooled data (discovery+replication cohort), 7 independent associations, in 5 chromosomal regions, were associated with IL-18 levels (minimum P=6.99×10(-72)). Six single nucleotide polymorphisms are located in predicted promoter regions of which one disrupts a transcription factor binding site. One single nucleotide polymorphism in NLRC4 is a rare missense variant, predicted to be deleterious to the protein. Altogether, the identified genetic variants explained 8% of the total variation in IL-18 levels in the cohort. Our results show that genetic variants play an important role in determining IL-18 levels in patients with acute coronary syndrome and we have identified genetic variants located in the IL-18 gene (IL18) or close to genes that are involved in procaspase-1 activation (NLRC4 and CARD16, CARD17, and CARD18). These associations also highlight the importance of the NLRC4 inflammasome for IL-18 production in acute coronary syndrome patients.

Evaluation of urinary interleukin-8 levels in patients with spinal cord injury.

Interleukins are a group of cytokines responsible for regulating inflammatory and infectious responses. Interleukin-8 plays an important role in chemotaxis and functioning of leukocytes and is locally produced in infected tissues; it is seen in abundance in the urine of individuals with Urinary Tract Infection. Midstream sterile urine sampling was performed in different patients admitted to the Spinal Cord Injury (SCI) research center. The samples were tested to determine the level of IL-8 through the ELISA method. The commercial kit used for this study was an R & D kit built in Germany. The mean level of IL-8 was 369.59 pg/ml and 75.42 pg/ml in male and female patients respectively. Among the 97 patients under study, 87 (89.7%) were IL-8 positive (>10 pg/ml) and 10 patients were IL-8 negative (<10 pg/ml). Among the 87 IL-8 positive subjects, 64 patients had no UTI symptoms, while 23 did. SCI patients should have their urinary IL-8 levels measured on a routine and periodic basis, irrespective of their SCI severity or the presence or absence of UTI symptoms. The timely and effective diagnosis & treatment of UTI can prevent the irreversible complications caused by frequent UTI and resistance to treatment in this group of patients.

Serum Level of Interleukin-6 in Patients with Oral Tongue Squamous cell Carcinoma.

The clinical outcome of patients with squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) located in the head and neck has remained poor despite ongoing advances in diagnosis and management. Interleukin-6(IL-6) is a multi-functional cytokine that plays an important role in the process of cell differentiation and is increased in several malignancies. The aim of this study was to investigate the serum levels of interleukin-6 in patients with oral tongue SCC. In a cross-sectional study, 17 patients with oral tongue SCC were compared with the same number of age- and gender-matched healthy subjects. Serum IL-6 level fluctuation was determined using an immunological technique, before detecting its possible association with the subjects' age, gender, drinking and smoking history, cancer site, and disease severity. The intensity of serum IL-6 in patients with oral tongue SCC was statistically significantly higher than that in healthy subjects (P<0.001). Serum IL-6 level was independent of the patients' age, gender, smoking and drinking history as well as cancer stage. IL-6 is a valuable biomarker in the diagnosis of oral tongue SCC. Its high sensitivity makes prediction of this condition possible, while this biomarker can also be used to screen high-risk patients.

Association between Serum Levels of Interleukin-6 and Stage of Laryngeal Cancer.

The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between serum levels of interleukin-6 (IL-6) and the severity and extent of squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) of the larynx based on stage of tumor progression and histological grade. All patients with a diagnosis of laryngeal cancer who underwent laryngoscopy and biopsy while hospitalized in Imam Khomeini Hospital in Ahvaz were enrolled. Tumor stage was calculated based on the TNM system, and divided into early (stage 1,2) or advanced stage (stage 3,4). In addition, patients were divided into low-grade (well differentiated) or high-grade (moderate and poorly differentiated) groups based on pathology reports from biopsy specimens. Several healthy volunteers were also enrolled as the control group. After collecting the blood samples, quantitative serum levels of IL-6 were measured (pmol/L) using IL-6 kits (Bender MedSystem, Germany). Results for quantitative variables are presented as mean and standard deviation and qualitative variables as percentages. Mann-Whitney, Kruskal-Wallis and Pearson's chi square tests were used for statistical analyses. P<0.05 was considered statistically significant. Statistical analysis of data was performed using SPSS version 13. Thirty-eight patients (82.6%) were male and eight patients (17.4%) were female. IL-6 serum level was 28.8±4.7 pmol/L in the patient group and 2.64±2.88 pmol/L in the control group (P=0.0001). The serum level of IL-6 was 7.27 ± 5.31 pmol/L in early-stage patients and 54.43 ± 6.06 pmol/L in advanced-stage patients (P<0.0001). IL-6 levels increased significantly with increasing N (according to TNM) (P=0.002). Levels of IL-6 in patients with metastasis were significantly higher than in the group without metastasis (P=0.024). Moreover, IL-6 levels increased significantly with increasing local tumor spread (T) (P<0.0001). This study shows that IL-6 is a gender-independent factor, serum levels of which are higher in patients with laryngeal SCC than in normal subjects. The results of this study also show that serum levels of this cytokine increase significantly with progression of this malignancy.

Shoulder pain and intra-articular interleukin-8 levels in patients with rotator cuff tears.

Rotator cuff disease (RCD) is one of the most common disorders in the shoulder joint and causes joint pain and functional disability. In this study, we investigated the associations among cytokine levels and clinical symptoms in patients with RCD. Joint fluid specimens of the shoulder joint were obtained from 38 patients with RCD before arthroscopic surgery. The levels of inflammatory cytokines, including interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-6 and IL-8, were evaluated using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay kits, and the associations between these cytokine levels and the clinical symptoms were determined. A multiple linear regression analysis was performed to identify the parameters accounting for the visual analogue scale (VAS) score at rest. IL-8 level was correlated with IL-6 (r=0.434, P=0.006) and IL-1β (r=0.575, P<0.001) levels. The cuff tear size was inversely correlated with the VAS score at rest. A multiple stepwise linear regression analysis revealed that the VAS score at rest could be explained by the VAS score at night, the VAS score during movement and the intra-articular IL-8 level (adjusted R²=0.544, P<0.001). The intra-articular IL-8 level is associated with resting pain in rotator cuff tear patients. These results suggest that an increased concentration of IL-8 is associated with resting pain in rotator cuff tear patients.

The exercise therapy decreases the serum interleukin-6 levels in patients with knee OA

The exercise therapy decreases the serum interleukin-6 levels in patients with knee OA

Interleukin-6 (IL-6) as an inflammatory biomarker in patients with hepatobiliary cancers.

257 Background: IL-6 is an inflammatory cytokine that modulates growth and differentiation of tumor cells. The role of IL-6 as a biomarker in this cancer subset population remains questionable. We aimed to study IL-6 levels in patients with hepatobiliary cancer and the associated patient characteristics. Methods: Stored serum from 91 patients with treatment-naïve hepatobiliary cancers (hepatocellular carcinoma, gallbladder cancer, intra- and extra-hepatic cholangiocarcinoma) were measured for IL-6 levels. Demographics and clinical parameters were collected from retrospective chart review. IL-6 was measured in stored serum from 91 controls, matched for age, gender and BMI. Associations between baseline covariates and IL6 measurements and differences in Overall Survival (OS) were assessed using Accelerated Failure Time (AFT) models. P-values &lt;0.05 were considered statistically significant. All data analyses were generated using SAS/STAT software, Version 9.4. Results: A total of 91 cases+91 controls were analyzed: 68% males in each set. IL-6 levels were significantly higher in the cases than the controls [median: 15.2pg/ml vs 1.7pg/ml p&lt;0.01]. Amongst cancer patients the following elements were associated with significantly higher levels of IL-6: cirrhosis (AF=3.18 p&lt;0.01), uncontrolled pain (AF=1.97 p&lt;0.01), worse ECOG status (p&lt;0.01) and portal vein thrombosis (AF=1.57, p=0.03). A 3-fold increase in Alpha fetoprotein (AFP) corresponded with a 9% increase in IL-6 (AF=1.09, p=0.015). IL-6 appeared to be modestly higher in males [median: 4.47 vs 5.32 p=0.5]. IL-6 remained an independent predictor of OS after controlling for several possible confounders (AFP, Cirrhosis, portal vein thrombosis). Each 10-unit increase in IL-6 resulted in an 8% reduction in the time to death (AF=0.92 (95% CI:0.78 to 1.00) p=0.033). Conclusions: IL-6 levels are significantly elevated in hepatobiliary cancers, directly correlating with AFP. Higher IL-6 levels are associated with aggressive tumors and poorer survival. These findings suggests the potential prognostic/predictive value of IL-6 and should initiate early palliative care referrals. Anti-IL6 therapy could increase meaningful survival time for patients.

Clinical significance of serum interleukin-18 (IL-18) levels in patients with gastric cancer

An inappropriate production of interleukin-18 (IL-18) contributes to the pathogenesis of malignancies and may influence the clinical outcome of patients. The objective of this study was to determine the clinical significance of the serum levels of IL-18 in patients with gastric cancer. A total of 63 patients with a pathologically confirmed diagnosis of gastric cancer were enrolled into this study. Serum IL-18 concentrations were determined by the solid-phase sandwich Elisa method. Age- and sex-matched 30 healthy controls were included in the analysis. The median age at diagnosis was 62years, range 28 to 82years. The baseline serum IL-18 levels of the gastric cancer patients were a significantly higher than those in the control group (median values 1436.4 vs. 638.4pg/mL, respectively, P<0.001). The known clinical variables including age of patient, gender, site of lesion, histology, histological grade, stage of disease, and serum tumor markers such as LDH, CEA, and CA 19.9 were not found to be correlated with serum IL-18 concentrations (P>0.05). Moreover, no correlation was found between serum IL-18 level and response to chemotherapy (P=0.34). Serum IL-18 concentration was also found no prognostic role on survival (P=0.21). In conclusion, serum levels of IL-18 may have a good diagnostic marker in patients with gastric cancer. However, its predictive and prognostic values were not determined.

Sevoflurane downregulates interleukin-6 and interleukin-8 levels in patients after cardiopulmonary bypass surgery: a meta-analysis.

This study aimed to investigate the effect of sevoflurane on serum levels of interleukin (IL)-6 and IL-8 in patients who underwent cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB). The strength of the association between sevoflurane treatment and serum level of IL-6 and IL-8 was determined in patients who underwent CPB by summary standard mean differences (SMDs); 95% confidence interval (CI) was used. In total, seven case-control studies showed decreased IL-6 and IL-8 levels in sevoflurane-treated patients than in controls (IL-6: SMD = 1.56, 95%CI: 0.95-2.17, P < 0.001; IL-8: SMD = 1.63, 95%CI: 0.30-2.96, P < 0.001, respectively). Further, IL-6 and IL-8 levels were significantly higher in sevoflurane-treated patients than in sevoflurane-pretreated patients (IL-6 post vs pre: SMD = 2.17, 95%CI: 1.40-2.95, P < 0.001; IL-8 post vs pre: SMD = 4.01, 95%CI: 2.80-5.21, P < 0.001, respectively). CPB-stratified analysis showed significant decrease in IL-6 and IL-8 levels in sevoflurane-treated patients than in controls, irrespective of the time after CPB surgery (P < 0.05). Moreover, sevoflurane-pretreated patients under the <12-h subgroup showed decreased IL-6 levels (P = 0.698), while all other subgroups showed decreased IL-8 levels (P < 0.05). Further, subgroup analysis by different dose of sevoflurane showed decreased IL-6 and IL-8 levels in subgroups administered with a dose of <2 and ≥ 2% sevoflurane under the case vs control and pre- vs post-treatment of sevoflurane models. Serum IL-6 and IL-8 levels were significantly lower in sevoflurane-treated patients who underwent CPB, suggesting sevoflurane pretreatment to be more beneficial than post-treatment.

Correlation Between Markers of Bone Turnover and Vitamin D Levels in Patients with Monoclonal Gammopathy of Undetermined Significance (MGUS)

Intro: Multiple myeloma (MM) is an incurable malignancy that arises from MGUS, however the majority of patients with MGUS do not go on to develop MM. A deeper understanding of the biology of progression from MGUS to MM is needed to identify patients at higher risk of progression and identify potential strategies to prevent development of MM. Altered bone metabolism is common in MGUS with upregulation of the receptor-activator of nuclear kB ligand (RANKL) to osteoprotegrin (OPG) ratio. Vitamin D has a central role in bone metabolism and has recently been associated with progressive disease in several malignancies, including MM. We hypothesized that progressive alterations in the key molecules of bone remodeling would correlate with the risk group of MGUS and that correction of vitamin D deficiency would lead to improved equilibrium of selective cytokines involved in bone remodeling and metabolism.Methods: 43 patients with MGUS or smoldering myeloma were assigned to low (0 or 1 risk factor) or high (2 or 3 risk factors or smoldering multiple myeloma (SMM)) risk of progression to MM based on the IMWG consensus statement (Leukemia. 2010, June; 24(6); 1121-7). We measured 25 hydroxyvitamin D levels, IL-6, and the RANKL/OPG ratio via enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Patients with low levels of 25 hydroxyvitamin D were treated with 6,000 units of cholecalciferol daily for 8 weeks and then 2,000 units daily thereafter. Repeat levels of 25 hydroxyvitamin D, interleukin-6 (IL-6), and RANKL/OPG were repeated after three months of cholecalciferol therapy.Results: Total enrollment was 43 patients, with 26 patients with low risk disease and 17 patients with high risk disease. There was no significant difference in IL-6, OPG, RANKL, or the RANKL/OPG ratio levels between patients with low versus high risk disease. Patients with SMM versus patients with MGUS had higher levels of IL-6 RANKL and the RANKL/OPG ratio. 14 patients were found to have vitamin D deficiency with 25 hydroxyvitamin D <25ng/mL, 5 high risk and 9 low risk patients. There was no difference in IL-6 levels in patients with or without vitamin D deficiency. Patients with vitamin D deficiency had an increased RANKL and the RANKL/OPG ratio. With cholecalciferol supplementation in deficient patients, the average vitamin D level in deficient patients increased from 16.6 to 25.34 ng/mL while the RANKL/OPG ratio decreased (241.99 vs. 115.32, p-value .041) and the serum free light chain ratio improved (median improvement of 6, p-value=.013).Conclusions: These data provide clues that vitamin D deficiency is pervasive in MGUS . Additionally, hypovitaminosis D and its correction modulates the RANKL/OPG ratio that could play a pivotal role between osteoblasts and osteoclasts. Further study is required to determine if alterations in bone metabolism and the correction of abnormal metabolism can alter the disease course of patients with MGUS, especially serum free light chains and bone marrow plasma cells (PC) and the PC karyotype. This trial was conducted with IRB approval from the University of Kansas Medical Center.Table 1RANKL, OPG, and RANKL/OPG ratios for SMM versus MGUS patients with 0,1, or two risk factors and patients with vitamin D deficiency versus those without vitamin D deficiency.SMMMGUS 0,1,2p-value25 hydroxyvitamin D<25 ng/mL25 hydroxyvitamin D >25p-valueRANKL (pg/mL)65500.7613819.97.04150216.2510387.77.044OPG (pg/mL)180.59164.81.25177.78163.46.60RANKL/OPG252.66110.04.06241.9973.25.034 DisclosuresYacoub:seattle genetics: Membership on an entity’s Board of Directors or advisory committees; sanofi: Membership on an entity’s Board of Directors or advisory committees; alexion: Membership on an entity’s Board of Directors or advisory committees. Mikhael:Onyx: Research Funding; Celgene: Research Funding; Sanofi: Research Funding; Novartis: Research Funding.

Increased serum levels of interleukin-8 in patients with tension-type headache.

The pathophysiology of tension-type headache is not well understood. Increased peripheral levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines may act as mediators of several chronic pain disorders. The aim of the present study was to investigate the peripheral levels of chemokines in patients with tension-type headache. This was a cross sectional study evaluating serum levels of chemokines in age and sex-matched tension-type headache patients, ictally and interictally, and control participants. Beck Depression and Anxiety Inventories were recorded. Serum levels of monocyte chemoattractant protein-1, macrophage inflammatory protein 1α, regulated on activation, normal T cell expressed and secreted, eotaxin, eotaxin-2, interleukin-8, interferon gamma induced protein-10 were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. A total of 96 participants (48 tension-type headache, 48 controls) were included. Interleukin-8 levels were significantly increased in patients with tension-type headache when compared to controls (413.8 (123.4-1756.3) and 329 (107.8-955.6), respectively, P = 0.025). Anxiety and depression scores were higher in patients with tension-type headache but interleukin-8 increase in tension-type headache patients persisted after controlling for anxiety and depression symptoms. Patients with headache at the time of assessment had increased monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 levels when compared with patients without headache (2809.3 (1101-6122.2) and 1630.2 (669.3-31056.8), respectively P = 0.026). Patients with episodic and chronic tension-type headache had no significant differences in serum chemokines levels. Interleukin-8 was increased in tension-type headache and monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 was higher in tension-type headache patients with headache, suggesting that pro-inflammatory mechanisms may participate in tension-type headache pathophysiology.

Interleukin-18 induces retinal pigment epithelium degeneration in mice.

To examine the effectiveness of interleukin-18 (IL-18) on choroidal neovascularization (CNV) and retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) in humans and mice. Serum IL-18 levels in patients with wet and dry AMD who were older than 50 years were measured and compared with those of age-matched controls. In mice, laser photocoagulation was performed in the retina to induce experimental CNV, and CNV volume was measured in eyes injected with recombinant IL-18 (rIL-18) and IL-18 neutralizing antibody (nIL-18Ab) compared with those injected with control. Tube formation assay was performed on human retinal endothelial cells (HREC) with rIL-18 administration in vitro. After subretinal injection of rIL-18, fundus change in the injected eyes was evaluated; active caspase-3 level was measured in the RPE/choroid complex, and tight junction integrity in RPE was visualized by zonula occludens-1 (ZO-1) staining. Serum IL-18 levels in dry AMD patients were higher than those in control. Mouse rIL-18 or nIL-18Ab did not induce significant change in CNV volume compared with controls or change tube formation in HREC. Subretinal injection of rIL-18 induced retinal degeneration in the mice fundus; ZO-1 staining showed considerably disturbed RPE structure, and active caspase-3 expression was significantly higher after rIL-18 induction. Interleukin-18 did not show a pro- or antiangiogenic effect on mouse laser-induced CNVs (laser-CNVs), whereas it directly induced RPE cell apoptosis in the mouse eye. Our results suggested that IL-18 is associated with dry AMD, but not with wet AMD.

Fatigue Is Associated With Serum Interleukin-6 Levels and Symptoms of Depression in Patients on Chronic Hemodialysis

ContextLittle is known about activated immune-inflammatory pathways and interleukin-6 (IL-6) in the development of fatigue and/or depression in patients with end-stage renal disease on chronic hemodialysis (HD). ObjectivesTo evaluate the possible correlation between fatigue and serum levels of IL-6 in patients on chronic HD. MethodsOne hundred HD patients were assessed for the presence of fatigue using the SF-36 Vitality subscale and were administered the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), the Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale (HARS), the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE), the activities of daily living (ADL), and the instrumental activities of daily living (IADL). We also calculated the time of recovery after hemodialysis (TIRD) and the number/severity of comorbidities using the Charlson Comorbidity Index (CCI). Laboratory parameters were measured as well as serum IL-6. ResultsForty-three patients constituted the fatigued group and 57 the nonfatigued group. Age, CCI, BDI, HARS, and TIRD were significantly higher in fatigued patients than in the nonfatigued patients. Conversely, the scores of ADL, IADL, and MMSE were significantly lower in fatigued than in nonfatigued patients. Serum IL-6 levels (pg/mL) were higher in the fatigued group (5.1 ± 3.4) than in the nonfatigued group (1.6 ± 1.5; P < 0.001); serum albumin and creatinine levels were significantly lower. Twenty-six patients (26%) had no symptoms of depression (BDI score <10), and 74 patients (74%) had symptoms of depression (BDI score >9). Patients with a BDI score >9 were older; had a higher CCI; a lower MMSE; a higher TIRD; lower serum albumin, creatinine, and urea levels; and higher serum IL-6 levels. The correlation analyses showed that the score of the SF-36 Vitality subscale was associated with age, dialytic age, TIRD, ADL, IADL, CCI, BDI, HARS, MMSE, serum urea, creatinine, albumin, and IL-6 levels. On multivariate general linear model analyses, with fatigue as the dependent variable and gender as a second factor, BDI and serum IL-6 levels were independently associated with the score of the SF-36 Vitality subscale. A canonical correlation analysis was performed including in the model fatigue, BDI, and biomarkers; the correlation was 0.679 (R2 = 0.462). Fatigue, BDI, and IL-6 among biomarkers showed the strongest association with the underlying construct (standardized canonical coefficients = −0.989, 0.015, and 0.852, respectively), thus explaining a correlation of IL-6 with both depression and fatigue. ConclusionFatigue was significantly associated with symptoms of depression and serum IL-6 levels in patients receiving chronic HD.

Circulating Interleukin-6 Levels Are Associated with Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm Presence: A Meta-analysis and Meta-regression of Case–Control Studies

In a number of relatively small-size studies, investigators have measured and compared circulating interleukin-6 (IL-6) levels in cases with abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) and controls without AAA to assess its possible role in the pathogenesis or progression of AAA. To summarize the present evidence for an association between circulating IL-6 levels and AAA presence, we performed a meta-analysis of case-control studies that compared circulating IL-6 levels between patients with AAA and subjects without AAA. MEDLINE and EMBASE were searched through December 2013 using Web-based search engines (PubMed and OVID). Eligible studies were case-control studies of patients with AAA and subjects without AAA reporting circulating IL-6 levels. For each study, data regarding plasma or serum IL-6 levels in both the AAA and control groups were used to generate standardized mean differences (SMDs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs). Mixed-effects (unrestricted maximum likelihood) meta-regression analyses were performed to determine whether the differences in circulating IL-6 levels were modulated by the prespecified factors. Our search identified 13 eligible studies enrolling a total of 1,029 cases with AAA and 924 controls without AAA. Pooled analysis of the 13 studies demonstrated significantly greater circulating IL-6 levels in the AAA group than those in the control group (random-effects SMD 0.59; 95% CI 0.37-0.80; P for effect < 0.00001; P for heterogeneity < 0.0000). The meta-regression coefficient for the mean age (P = 0.10196) and the proportion of current smokers (P = 0.29893) was not statistically significant. That for the mean AAA diameter, however, was significantly positive (coefficient 0.02789; 95% CI 0.00778-0.04800; P = 0.00657), and that for the proportion of men was significantly negative (coefficient -0.01823; 95% CI -0.03202 to -0.00445; P = 0.00952). Circulating IL-6 levels are greater in patients with AAA than those in subjects without AAA, which suggest that greater circulating IL-6 levels are associated with AAA presence. As the mean AAA diameter and the proportion of men increase, circulating IL-6 levels in patients with AAA are respectively more and less greater than those in controls without AAA.

Elevated IL-6 levels in patients with atypical depression but not in patients with typical depression

Elevated levels of the proinflammatory cytokine Interleukin-6 (IL-6) are among the most consistent findings in patients with major depressive disorder (MDD). Additionally, some evidence suggests that elevated cytokine levels in patients with major depression are responsible for the development of metabolic syndrome in patients suffering from MDD. Therefore, the aim of the study was to examine the concentrations of IL-6 in specific subtypes of MDD and to investigate their relationship to metabolic factors. Twenty-four patients with typical (24) and atypical (eight) major depression according to DSM-IV criteria were studied and compared to 24 normal controls. Blood samples were collected during a stepwise glucose-clamp procedure, and IL-6 concentrations were measured by high sensitivity ELISA. IL-6 levels were elevated in patients suffering from atypical depression but not in patients with typical depression, compared to normal controls. IL-6 correlated significantly with HbA1c, insulin, waist girth, BMI, number of alcoholic drinks per week and C-reactive protein. Our data indicate that high concentrations of IL-6 during the glucose clamp may be limited to the atypical subgroup of patients with MDD.

Evaluated plasma interleukin-18/interleukin-10 ratio is a risk factor for acute coronary syndromes in patients with stable angina pectoris

Studies suggested that interleukin-18 (IL-18)/interleukin-10 (IL-10) ratio is an independent predictor of adverse cardiovascular events in patients with acute coronary syndromes (ACS). In this study we aimed to evaluate the predictive significance of IL-18/IL-10 for the occurrence of ACS in patients with stable angina pectoris (SAP) over a 40-month follow-up. The IL-18, IL-10 levels of 257 patients with SAP were determined by Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA). Two hundred and fifty-two patients, 42 of whom had ACS and 210 were event-free, were divided into two groups according to the presence or absence of the occurrence of ACS during the 40-month follow-up. Plasma IL-18 and IL-18/IL-10 ratios were both significantly higher (p = 0.001 and p = 0.044, respectively) among patients with ACS, however, IL-10 level was lower (p = 0.046) compared to the patients without ACS. The elevation of plasma IL-18/IL-10 ratio and the number of coronary artery lesions made the advantage ratio of ACS in patients with SAP increase 4.242 times and 1.942 times (p = 0.000 and p = 0.011, respectively). Plasma IL-18 and IL-10 levels in patients with SAP are closely related to the occurrence of ACS, elevated IL-18/IL-10 ratio has a positive predictive value for the occurrence of ACS in patients with SAP.

Levels of Interleukin -10 in Gingival Crevicular Fluid and its Role in the Initiation and Progression of Gingivitis to Periodontitis

Background: Virulence of microorganisms contribute to initiation and progression of periodontal disease but genetic contribution to pathogenesis of periodontitis and specific genetic markers are found to be strong indicators of susceptibility to periodontitis in adults. The purpose of this study was to determine whether interindividual variation in interleukin-10 levels in patients with similar levels of oral hygiene has a role in preventing progression of gingivitis to periodontitis. Methods: In the present study, 91 subjects were divided into three groups based on GI (Gingival Index), OHI-S (Oral Hygiene Index-Simples), PPD (Probing pocket depth) and CAL (Clinical attachment level) into healthy, gingivitis and periodontitis groups. GCF (Gingival Crevicular Fluid) samples were collected from each patient using micropipette and IL-10 (interleukin -10) levels were analyzed using ELISA. Results: The highest mean concentration of IL-10 was obtained for gingivitis group (1128.19 ± 532.90 mg/ml) and lowest for control group (648.96 ± 505.75). The mean IL-10 level of periodontitis (956.22 ± 475.49) group was found to be intermediate between the other two groups. There was statistically significant difference in IL-10 levels between three groups (p 0.05). Conclusions: The results suggest that IL-10 levels are higher in patients with gingivitis than whose condition progressed to periodontitis. In control group, IL-10 level was least suggesting role of bacterial factors in initiating IL-10 response. The data suggests the protective role of anti-inflammatory cytokine, IL-10 in limiting progression of gingivitis to periodontitis.

The features of mucosal immunity and microbiota at different forms of allergic rhinitis

Aim. To assess the parameters of local immune response in patients with different forms of allergic rhinitis, associated with nasal bacterial infection. Methods. Nasal swabs and nasal epithelium samples obtained from 10 patients with seasonal allergic rhinitis aged 12 to 32 years and from 15 patients with persistent allergic rhinitis aged 18 to 45 years, as well as form the 20 healthy subjects aged 18 to 45 years without signs of allergy who were age and gender-comparable, were examined. Swabs were prepared from cell suspension, stained with 0.04% trypan blue solution, and a microscopy with the count of non-stained cells was performed. Epitheliocytes expressing toll-like receptors-2, were determined by flow cytometry. Interleukin-10 concentration in swabs was assessed by ELISA. Results. The number of epitheliocytes expressing toll-like receptors-2 was by 1.9 times lower in patients with seasonal allergic rhinitis and by 1.7 times lower in patients with persistent allergic rhinitis compared to control group. There was a reverse correlation found between the number of epitheliocytes expressing toll-like receptors-2 and interleukin-10 level in nasal swabs of healthy controls, while in patients with allergic rhinitis a it was a direct correlation. In patients with persistent allergic rhinitis S. aureus was a part of microbiota in 100% of cases and was associated with other bacteria (Str. pyogenes - 33.3%, Neisseria spp. - 66.7%). In patients with seasonal allergic rhinitis the association of S. aureus and S. hemolyticus (70.0%) was the most frequent one. In the control group, S. epidermidis (50.0%), Str. viridians (25.0%), S. hominis (25.0%) were among the nasal microbiota. There were no differences revealed between the mean levels of interleukin-10 in patients with allergic rhinitis and healthy controls. Conclusion. The number of epitheliocytes expressing toll-like receptors-2 was significantly reduced by almost 2 times in patients with persistent allergic rhinitis compared to control group. Colonization of nasal mucosa by S. aureus in patients with allergic rhinitis leads to an increase of epithelial cells expressing toll-like receptors-2.

Study of Serum Interleukin-17 Levels in Patients with Chronic Periodontitis and Coronary Heart Disease

Study of Serum Interleukin-17 Levels in Patients with Chronic Periodontitis and Coronary Heart Disease