Serum Levels of SIL-2R, IL-6, IL-10, TNF-α, CRP, ESR, and Fibrinogen in Active and Inactive Young Male Behçet's Patients

Abstract

Abstract OBJECTIVE: This study was conducted to compare serum SIL-2R, IL-6, IL-10, TNF-α levels with serum CRP, ESR and fibrinogen levels in active and inactive young male Behçet's patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This study involved a total of 40 participants, 20 of whom were healthy controls and 20 of whom were patients (of the 20 Behçet's patients, 12 (60%) were in the active phase and 8 (40%) were in the inactive phase). Only young men made up the patient and control groups because both early onset and male sex are signs of poor prognosis. The ELISA method was used to measure the levels of serum cytokines. The statistical analysis of the derived numerical values employed the Mann-Whitney U Test. RESULTS: We found a significant correlation between serum cytokine levels and classical acute phase markers in active Behçet’s patients. ESR (P<0,001), CRP (P<0,001), fibrinogen (P<0,001), IL-10 (P<0,001), IL-6 (P<0,001), SIL-2R (P<0,001) and TNFα (P<0,001). There was no statistically significant difference in serum levels of classical acute phase markers ESR (P=0,746), CRP (P=0,476) and fibrinogen (P=0,940) when inactive Behçet’s patients and healthy controls were compared. However, serum levels of IL-10 (P<0,001), IL-6 (P=0,001), SIL-2R (P<0,001) and TNFα (P=0,001) were statistically different between inactive Behcet's patients and the control group. CONCLUSIONS: Our research shows that even in the inactive phase, serum cytokine levels of Behçet’s patients are much higher than the healthy control group. However, the levels of ESR, CRP and fibrinogen, which are classical acute phase markers, were found at normal levels in Behçet’s patients in the inactive phase. These findings show that measurement of serum interleukin levels will enable us to take preventive measures for morbidity and mortality follow-up of Behçet's patients.