[Interleukin-18 and its related cytokines in plasma of patients with idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura].

To explore the role of immune regulating cytokines in pathogenesis of the idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP) and its clinical significance, the levels of IL-18, TNF-alpha and Sc5b-9 in plasma of 32 ITP patients and 18 normal individuals were detected using ELISA methods. The results showed that IL-18, TNF-alpha and sC5b-9 levels in plasma of ITP patients were higher than that in normal individuals. The level of IL-18 was positively correlated with the levels of TNF-alpha and sC5b-9. In conclusion, The rising levels of the IL-18, TNF-alpha and sC5b-9 were correlated with disorder of Th1/Th2 subsets, and may contribute to the immune dysfunction in ITP patients. The dynamic observation of these cytokines may be useful in directing the clinical treatment for ITP patients.