Increased release of interleukin-6 by oesophageal mucosa in children with reflux oesophagitis.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the release of interleukin-6 (IL-6) by oesophageal mucosa and to establish the serum levels of IL-6 and C-reactive protein (CRP), and plasma fibrinogen in children with reflux oesophagitis.


METHODS
In a prospective study, IL-6 release by tissue fragments obtained from oesophageal biopsies was determined and serum IL-6 and CRP as well as plasma fibrinogen were analysed.


METHODS
The study population comprised ten children with reflux oesophagitis, diagnosed on the basis of 24 h oesophageal pH monitoring and endoscopy with biopsies. Ten children with recurrent abdominal pain were studied for comparative purposes. Biopsy tissue fragments were processed to obtain a cell suspension and the release of IL-6 was determined in culture medium. Serum IL-6 levels were measured by ELISA, serum CRP by turbidimetry, and plasma fibrinogen by spectrophotometry.


RESULTS
Oesophageal cells obtained from reflux oesophagitis patients synthesize and release in vitro a significantly higher amount of IL-6 than controls (71.26+/-19.5 versus 31.67+/-8.02 pg/10(6) cells; P<0.01). Serum IL-6, serum CRP and plasma fibrinogen levels were not statistically different between patients with reflux oesophagitis and controls.


CONCLUSIONS
These results suggest a short-term action of IL-6 since its effects could be exerted only in the microenvironment of the oesophageal mucosa.
Corrado
G
G
Istituto di Clinica Pediatrica, Università La Sapienza, Roma, Italy.
Zicari
A
A
Cavaliere
M
M
Rea
P
P
Pacchiarotti
C
C
Cerroni
F
F
Pontieri
G
G
Cardi
E
E
D000293:Adolescent; D001706:Biopsy; D002097:C-Reactive Protein / Q000378:metabolism; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D002648:Child; D016099:Endoscopy, Gastrointestinal; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D004942:Esophagitis, Peptic / Q000097:blood / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D004947:Esophagus / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D005260:Female; D005340:Fibrinogen / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D006863:Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; D015850:Interleukin-6 / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000097:blood; D008297:Male; D008991:Monitoring, Physiologic; D009092:Mucous Membrane / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D011446:Prospective Studies
D015850:Interleukin-6; D005340:Fibrinogen; D002097:C-Reactive Protein