Elevated concentrations of interleukin-1 beta and interleukin-1 receptor antagonist in plasma of women with silicone breast implants.
Plasma from 27 women with silicone breast implants (SBIs) and 50 age-matched control women without SBIs were examined by enzyme immunoassay for the presence of interleukin-1 beta (IL-1 beta) and its naturally occurring receptor antagonist, IL-1ra. The results show that 74% (20 of 27) of women with SBIs had elevated concentrations of IL-1ra, whereas only 2% (1 of 50) of controls without SBIs had elevated concentrations of IL-1ra. In contrast to the IL-1ra results, the frequency of elevated IL-1 beta concentrations among women with SBIs was only 40% (11 of 27), but this was significantly higher than the 0% (0 of 50) in control women without SBIs. These findings suggest that there is a chronic ongoing inflammatory process in some women with SBIs, the implications of which are discussed in the context of silicone as an antigenic stimulant of the immune system.
Ojo-Amaize
E A
EA
Specialty Laboratories, Inc., Santa Monica, California 90404-3900, USA.
Lawless
O J
OJ
Peter
J B
JB
D000328:Adult; D018427:Breast Implants; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007375:Interleukin-1 / Q000097:blood*; D008875:Middle Aged; D017472:Receptors, Interleukin-1 / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors*; D012828:Silicones
D007375:Interleukin-1; D017472:Receptors, Interleukin-1; D012828:Silicones