title: Study on IL-1alpha, IL-1beta and sIL-1ra in sera of patients with Graves' ophthalmopathy.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate the relationship between the serum levels of IL-1alpha, IL-1beta, sIL-1ra and the activity and the severity of Graves' Ophthalmopathy (GO), as well as the therapeutic responses to high-dose IV methylprednisolone.
  
  
  METHODS
  Using enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) systems, we measured serum concentrations of IL-1alpha, IL-1beta and sIL-1ra in 18 normal controls, 20 active GO, 20 inactive GO, 18 Graves' disease(GD) on patients without ophthalmopathy and 10 active GO patients after high-dose IV methylprednisolone therapy.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The baseline median sIL-1ra concentrations had no significant differences among active GO, inactive GO, GD and control groups. There was no correlation between baseline sIL-1ra levels and the severity of GO, cigarette smoking, and the responses to glucocorticoids therapy. However, responders had higher sIL-1ra levels (626.97 +/- 305.06 pg/ml) after glucocorticoids therapy than nonresponders (323.33 +/- 93.09 pg/ml). The concentration of IL-1alpha, IL-1beta (< 3.9 pg/ml) in all samples was within the standards of the assays.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The serum level of sIL-1ra in GO patients during high-dose IV methylprednisolone treatment is related to the therapeutic effect. The circulating baseline sIL-1ra concentrations are neither influenced by GO, the activity of GO, the severity of GO, GD, cigarette smoking nor predictive of the response to glucocorticoid treatment.
authors.affiliation: Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510060, China.
authors.forename: Guiqin
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.forename: Zhongyao
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Wu
authors.forename: Huasheng
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Yang
authors.forename: Zheng
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Lin
authors.forename: Taiqi
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.forename: Yuchi
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Liang
authors.forename: Xiangkun
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Huang
authors.forename: Huakun
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Wu
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D015415:Biomarkers; D005260:Female; D005938:Glucocorticoids / Q000008:administration & dosage; D006111:Graves Disease / Q000097:blood* / Q000188:drug therapy; D006801:Humans; D053590:Interleukin 1 Receptor Antagonist Protein; D007375:Interleukin-1 / Q000097:blood*; D008297:Male; D008775:Methylprednisolone / Q000008:administration & dosage; D008875:Middle Aged; D012795:Sialoglycoproteins / Q000097:blood*; D012907:Smoking
chemical_list: D015415:Biomarkers; D005938:Glucocorticoids; C507763:IL1RN protein, human; D053590:Interleukin 1 Receptor Antagonist Protein; D007375:Interleukin-1; D012795:Sialoglycoproteins; D008775:Methylprednisolone