Production of interleukin-1b and tumor necrosis factor--a by peripheral blood human mononuclear cells in active and inactive stages of ulcerative colitis.

The production of Interleukin-1b (IL-1b) and Tumor necrosis factor a (TNF-a) by peripheral blood human mononuclear cells has been measured by an enzyme linked immunosorbent assay in 49 patients with ulcerative colitis (UC), 16 patients with first onset of the disease, 15 with untreated active disease, 18 patients with active UC under treatment and 14 healthy control subjects. IL-1b and TNF-a values were significantly higher (p < 0.001) in all groups of patients with active disease comparing to values after the achievement of remission or healthy controls. This increase was more profound in patients with pancolitis, in all groups with UC in active stage, when a comparison was made with rectosigmoiditis patients (p < 0.05). These results point towards a correlation between IL-1b and TNF-a production in UC patients and activity and extent of the disease.