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Plasma interleukin-2 levels and thyroid function in elderly patients with nonthyroidal illness.
1Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Internal Medicine and Metabolic Diseases, School of Medicine, University of Messina, Policlinico Universitario, Via Consolare Valeria, I-98124, Messina, Italy.
Archives of Gerontology and Geriatrics
|July 26, 2008
Summary
Interleukin-2 (IL-2) plasma levels are elevated in some nonthyroidal illness (NTI) patients. These higher IL-2 concentrations correlate with altered thyroid hormone levels, particularly lower triiodothyronine (T3) and free T3 (FT3).
Area of Science:
- Endocrinology
- Immunology
- Geriatrics
Background:
- Nonthyroidal illness (NTI) is characterized by altered thyroid hormone levels.
- The role of inflammatory markers like interleukin-2 (IL-2) in NTI pathophysiology is not fully understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate interleukin-2 (IL-2) plasma concentrations in elderly patients with nonthyroidal illness (NTI).
- To determine the relationship between IL-2 levels and thyroid function alterations in NTI.
Main Methods:
- Plasma concentrations of thyroid hormones (T3, T4, FT3, FT4, TSH, rT3) and IL-2 were measured.
- 34 elderly NTI patients and 25 healthy controls were studied.
- Statistical analysis correlated IL-2 levels with thyroid hormone parameters.
Main Results:
- Interleukin-2 (IL-2) was detectable in 11 of 34 NTI patients.
- Patients with detectable IL-2 showed significantly lower plasma T3 and FT3.
- IL-2 levels positively correlated with reverse T3 (rT3) and negatively with FT3.
Conclusions:
- Elevated plasma IL-2 concentrations are associated with specific thyroid hormone alterations in NTI.
- IL-2 may play a role in the complex hormonal changes observed in nonthyroidal illness.
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