[Roles of serum and urinary interleukins 13Ralpha2 and other cytokines in pediatric Henoch-Schonlein purpura].

OBJECTIVE

To study the roles of serum and urinary interleukins (IL)-13Ralpha2, IL-4, IL-6, IL-8 and tumor necrosis factor-alpha(TNF-alpha) in pediatric Henoch-Schonlein purpura (HSP).

METHODS

Serum and urinary levels of IL-13Ralpha2, IL-4, IL-6, IL-8 and TNF-alpha were examined using ELISA in 52 children with HSP and 45 healthy children. The results were compared between the two groups.

RESULTS

Serum levels of IL-13Ralpha2, IL-4, IL-6, IL-8 and TNF-alpha in HSP patients with or without renal lesions were higher than those in the control group (p<0.01 or 0.05). Urinary levels of IL-6 and TNF-alpha in HSP patients without renal lesions were higher than those in the control group (p<0.05). Except for urinary levels of IL-6 and TNF-alpha, urinary IL-13Ralpha2 levels in HSP patients with renal lesions (HSPN) were higher than those in the control group (p<0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

Cytokines IL-13Ralpha2, IL-4, IL-6, IL-8 and TNF-alpha may play roles in the pathogenesis of pediatric HSP/HSPN.