Clinical significance and assessment of cytokines in various stages of ulcerative colitis.

In order to study the clinical significance and change of interleukin (IL)-1 beta and IL-10 concentration in intestinal mucosal tissues in various stage of ulcerative colitis (UC), IL-1 beta and IL10 levels were measured by enzyme linked immunosorbent assays (ELISA). Our results showed that IL-beta level caused by spontaneous secretion in the intestinal mucous tissues in active stage of ulcerative colitis was significantly higher than that in normal controls and in remission stage of ulcerative colitis (P < 0.01, P < 0.001). IL-10 level in various stage of UC was relatively lower in controls, but there was no significantly difference between the two groups. Our study suggested that higher IL-1 beta level in active might play an important role in pathogenesis of UC, and IL-10, as an anti-inflammatory cytokine, was low in active UC, suggesting that it may be a important factor contributing to the development of higher IL-1 beta level.