Synthesis of Interleukin-10 in Patients with Ulcerative Colitis and Helicobacter pylori Infection

Abstract EN

Background/Aims.

Epidemiological evidence suggests a relationship between Helicobacter pylori infection with the development of autoimmune diseases.

H.

pylori elicit a chronic systemic inflammatory response with the secretion of proinflammatory cytokines.

IL-10 is a regulatory cytokine that plays a central role in limiting host immune response to pathogen.

Increased IL-10 levels were reported in H.

pylori–infected gastric mucosa.

The aim of this study was to explore the relationship between IL-10 systemic synthesis and H.

pylori infection in patients with ulcerative colitis.

Methods.

Detection of H.

pylori infection was performed by a 13C-urea breath test in 31 patients with UC.

In each patient, a serum sample was drawn to measure IL-10 by the ELISA technique.

Based on the primary breath test result, two groups were formed and serum IL-10 was measured.

Results.

Serological IL-10 levels in patients with UC and negative 13C-urea breath test was 10.28 pg/ml whereas in patients with UC and positive 13C-urea breath test was 5.5 pg/ml (P=0.035).

IL-10 levels were higher in the inflammatory endoscopic and histological active groups which tested positive in the 13C-urea breath tests for H.

pylori (P<0.05).Conclusions.

The role of IL-10 secretion in patients with UC in determining the clinicopathological outcome of infection merits further study.

This study suggests an association between serum IL-10 and disease severity in patients with UC and HP infection.