[Interleukin 18 as a new immunomodulator of some digestive tract diseases].

Interleukin 18 has been known since 1989 and since its properties have been recognized, an interest in it is constantly growing. IL-18 induces synthesis and release of proinflammatory cytokines, chemokines and nitric oxide. Thus, it modulates the function of many immunocompetent cells: macrophages, monocytes, lymphocytes and granulocytes. In the paper, properties of IL-18 are reviewed and its implications for pathogenesis of some gastrointestinal diseases, particularly inflammatory bowel diseases, i.e. Crohn Disease and colitis ulcerosa, inflammatory liver diseases such as persistent active hepatitis and primary biliary cirrhosis and acute pancreatitis are discussed.