Effects of Qingyi Huaji decoction on serum levels of interleukin-6, interleukin-8 and tumor necrosis factor-α in nude mice bearing pancreatic tumors

Çelik I, Akalin S, Erbaş T. Serum levels of interleukin 6 and tumor necrosis factor-α in hyperthyroid patients before and after propylthiouracil treatment. Eur J Endocrinol 1995;132:668–72. ISSN 0804–4643 Contrary to the usual inhibitory role of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) thyroid metabolism, it also has specific stimulatory effects in autoimmune thyroid disorders, including induction of HLA class II antigen-presenting cell—T cell interaction. Despite high intrathyroidal concentrations, various studies were not able to demonstrate high serum levels of TNF-α in patients with Graves' disease. To investigate this discrepancy we determined TNF-α and interleukin 6 (IL-6) levels in 25 hyperthyroid patients who responded to propylthiouracil treatment (16 with Graves' disease and nine with toxic multinodular goiter) and compared them with the levels found in euthyroid patients with simple diffuse goiter (n = 15) and normal healthy controls (n = 15). Median IL-6 levels were high in both Graves' disease and toxic multinodular goiter patients before propylthiouracil treatment (23 and 26.5 pg/ml, respectively). After restoring euthyroidism there was a statistically significant decline to near-normal levels (3 and 10 pg/ml, respectively). On the other hand, median serum TNF-α levels were high only in Graves' disease patients (20 pg/ml) and could not be normalized with antithyroid medication (20 pg/ml) compared to that of controls (5 pg/ml). Tumor necrosis factor-α, but not IL-6, was found to be high in the sera of Graves' disease patients when euthyroid, which may be due to an ongoing antigen–antibody interaction, a feature of autoimmune attack. It remains to be determined whether the degree of TNF-α and/or IL-6 elevation will be a predictor of disease recurrence. Ismail Çelik, Section of Oncology, Dept. of Medicine, Hacettepe University Institute of Oncology, Ankara 06100, Turkey

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Serum levels of interleukin-8, tumor necrosis factor-α and γ-interferon in Egyptian psoriatic patients and correlation with disease severity

The Journal of Dermatology ◽

10.1111/j.1346-8138.2010.01018.x ◽

2010 ◽

Vol 38 (5) ◽

pp. 442-446 ◽

Cited By ~ 18

Author(s):

Mahmoud F. ABDEL-HAMID ◽

Dalia G. ALY ◽

Nevine E. SAAD ◽

Hanaa M. EMAM ◽

Dina F. AYOUB

Keyword(s):

Tumor Necrosis Factor ◽

Disease Severity ◽

Tumor Necrosis ◽

Tumor Necrosis Factor Α ◽

Serum Levels ◽

Interleukin 8 ◽

Factor Α ◽

Γ Interferon ◽

Necrosis Factor

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Stability of Tumor Necrosis Factor α, Interleukin 6, and Interleukin 8 in Blood Samples of Patients With Systemic Immune Activation

Archives of Pathology & Laboratory Medicine ◽

10.5858/132.11.1802 ◽

2008 ◽

Vol 132 (11) ◽

pp. 1802-1806 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Astrid Friebe ◽

Hans-Dieter Volk

Keyword(s):

Tumor Necrosis Factor ◽

Immune Activation ◽

Interleukin 6 ◽

Tumor Necrosis ◽

Tumor Necrosis Factor Α ◽

Interleukin 8 ◽

Test Results ◽

Systemic Immune Activation ◽

Factor Α ◽

Necrosis Factor

Abstract Context.—Tumor necrosis factor α, interleukin 6, and interleukin 8 serum/plasma levels are frequently used for the monitoring of patients with systemic immune activation/ sepsis. This requires comparability of test results over time. However, cytokines are usually not considered to be very stable after blood collection, which might artificially interfere with test results. Objective.—To obtain better knowledge about stability of these cytokines in blood samples for interpretation of test results. Design.—Blood of patients with systemic immune activation was collected in EDTA, lithium heparin, ammonium heparin, and serum tubes. Aliquots were analyzed after storage at room temperature for 2 to 8 hours. Additionally, storage conditions for separated serum/plasma for 24 hours and the reproducibility of repeated cytokine measurements by an automated DPC Immulite analyzer were tested. Results.—Tumor necrosis factor α level was stable in EDTA plasma for 8 hours, while slightly increasing in heparin plasma and serum. Interleukin 6 concentrations were stable for 8 hours in all blood types, whereas interleukin 8 concentrations were stable only in EDTA plasma and were strongly increasing in heparin plasma and serum. Cytokine concentrations in separated serum/plasma were stable during 24 hours if stored at 4°C or frozen at −20 or −70°C. Reproducibility of repeated cytokine measurements revealed no significant differences for all blood types. Conclusions.—Cytokine levels were most critically influenced by the period between blood collection and plasma separation, but its impact was strongly dependent on cytokine and anticoagulant. However, under appropriate conditions cytokine levels were surprisingly stable for up to 8 hours.

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