Serum levels of IL-1 beta, TNF-alpha, IL-8, and acute phase proteins in seronegative spondyloarthropathies.
OBJECTIVE
Some immunological abnormalities have been described in seronegative spondyloarthropathies (SpA). The aim of this study is to determine the serum levels of IL-1beta, TNF-alpha and IL-8, which are proinflammatory cytokines in active and inactive patients with SpA, to compare the results with those of controls and to investigate a relationship with clinical activity and acute phase proteins.


METHODS
Forty-two patients (34 males and eight females) and 22 healthy controls (17 M and 5 F) were included in the study. All patients fulfilled Amor criteria for the classification of SpA. Among patients 23 had active and 19 had inactive disease. IL-1beta, TNF-alpha and IL-8 were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay ( ELISA), acute phase proteins were measured by nephelometric assay.


RESULTS
There was no statistically significant difference between mean IL-1beta levels of patient groups and controls. Serum mean TNF-a levels in active and inactive patients were significantly increased as compared to that in the controls (P < 0.05, P < 0.05, respectively). Serum mean IL-8 levels in active patients was significantly increased as compared to that in the controls and in inactive patients (P < 0.01, P < 0.01, respectively). High serum IL-8 levels correlated well with C-reactive protein and haptoglobulin, but there was no correlation between IL-1beta or TNF-alpha levels and acute phase proteins such as C-reactive protein, alpha-1 acid glycoprotein, alpha-1 antitrypsin and haptoglobulin.


CONCLUSIONS
These results suggest that serum IL-8 may reflect clinical activity of the disease and may be helpful for monitoring patients with SpA.
Sonel
Birkan
B
Kirkpinar sokak, N 25/8, 06540 Cankaya, Ankara, Turkey. bsonel@yahoo.com
Tutkak
Hüseyin
H
Düzgün
Nursen
N
D000209:Acute-Phase Proteins / Q000032:analysis*; D000328:Adult; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007375:Interleukin-1 / Q000097:blood*; D016209:Interleukin-8 / Q000097:blood*; D008297:Male; D025242:Spondylarthropathies / Q000097:blood* / Q000276:immunology / Q000503:physiopathology; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / Q000032:analysis*
D000209:Acute-Phase Proteins; D007375:Interleukin-1; D016209:Interleukin-8; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha