Study on IL-1alpha, IL-1beta and sIL-1ra in sera of patients with Graves' ophthalmopathy.

PURPOSE: 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. CONCLUSION: 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.