Significant Association between Serum Interleukin-6 andHelicobacter pyloriAntibody Levels amongH. pylori-Positive Japanese Adults
Background. Interleukin-6 (IL-6) is a multifunctional cytokine produced by many types of cells. Inflammation plays a key role in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis that is an underlying cause of coronary heart disease (CHD). Since the 1990s, some studies have shown an association betweenH. pyloriinfection and CHD, which may be mediated by inflammation. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate the association between serum anti-H. pyloriIgG levels and serum IL-6 levels inH. pylori-infected adults.Methods.We enrolled 158 subjects who visited a clinic located in an urban area to be tested forH. pyloriinfection, using the13C-urea breath test, and who were found to be infected and subsequently received eradication.Results.The geometric mean serum IL-6 level was 1.78 pg/mL for men, 1.57 pg/mL for women, and 1.64 pg/mL overall. Logarithms of serum IL-6 levels were positively correlated with logarithms of serumH. pyloriIgG levels(r=0.24, P=0.002). In multiple linear regression analysis adjusting for sex and age, the serum IL-6 level was still significantly associated with the IgG level in all subjects(β=0.18, P=0.012).Conclusion.HigherH. pyloriIgG levels were significantly associated with higher serum IL-6 levels amongH. pylori-infected individuals.