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Serum interleukin-6, procalcitonin and C-reactive protein levels in subjects with active Behçet's disease
1Department of Biochemistry, Fatih University Medical Faculty, 06700 Gankaya, Ankara, Turkey.
Insights
Serum C-reactive protein (CRP) and interleukin-6 (IL-6) are reliable markers for active Behçet's disease (BD). However, serum procalcitonin (PCT) levels do not appear to be elevated in patients with active BD.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Rheumatology
- Clinical Chemistry
Background:
- Behçet's disease (BD) activity markers like ESR, CRP, and cytokines (IL-6, IL-8, IL-10, TNF-alpha) have shown conflicting results, particularly IL-6.
- Serum procalcitonin (PCT) has not been previously investigated as a marker for active BD.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the reliability of serum interleukin-6 (IL-6), procalcitonin (PCT), and C-reactive protein (CRP) as biological markers for Behçet's disease (BD) activity.
Main Methods:
- Serum levels of PCT, IL-6, and CRP were measured in 15 patients with active BD and 15 healthy controls.
- Chemiluminescent immunoassay was used for IL-6 and PCT quantification.
- Nephelometry was employed for CRP concentration analysis.
Main Results:
- Serum CRP and IL-6 levels were significantly higher in active BD patients compared to healthy controls (P < 0.05).
- No significant difference was observed in serum PCT levels between active BD patients and healthy controls.
Conclusions:
- Serum CRP and IL-6 are elevated in active Behçet's disease, supporting their use as disease activity markers.
- Serum PCT levels are not elevated in active BD patients, suggesting it is not a reliable marker for disease activity.
Background:
Erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), C-reactive protein (CRP) and cytokines, including serum interleukin (IL)-6, IL-8 and IL-10, and tumour necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) have been proposed as disease activity markers in Behçet's disease (BD), although studies have shown conflicting results for IL-6. Serum procalcitonin (PCT) levels in active BD have not yet been investigated.
Objective:
The aim of the present study was to determine the reliability of serum IL-6 and PCT levels as well as CRP as biological markers for activity of BD.
Methods:
Serum PCT, IL-6 and CRP protein levels were measured in patients with active BD (n = 15) and in healthy control subjects (n = 15). IL-6 and PCT levels were measured in serum by chemiluminescent assay. In addition, a nephelometric method was used to analyse CRP concentrations in serum.
Results:
Serum CRP and IL-6 values were significantly higher in the subjects with active disease than in the healthy controls (P < 0.05), but there was no significant difference in the levels of PCT in the two groups.
Conclusion:
The results of our study suggest that serum CRP and IL-6 levels are elevated in patients with active BD, but that serum PCT values are not elevated in these patients.