ABSTRACT
<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To determine Th1/Th2 cytokines and chemokines in patients with allergic diseases and its clinic significance.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Serum levels of IFN-gamma, IL-4, IL-5, IL-13, Eotaxin, RANTES and LTB4 were determined from peripheral blood of 64 allergic patients and 21 healthy controls with ELISA.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>IL-4, IL-5, IL-13 and Eotaxin, LTB4 were increased significantly in serum of allergic patients compared with those of controls (P<0.05). There were no significant differences in serum levels of IFN-gamma and RANTES between patients and controls (P>0.05). Serum levels of IL-4, IL-5, IL-13 and LTB4 were correlated with each other (P<0.01). Eotaxin, RANTES and IFN-gamma levels were also significantly correlated with each other (P<0.05). LTB4 was correlated with Eotaxin as well (P<0.01).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>A wide range of cytokines and chemokines is involved in allergic diseases,which may play their roles in a complex interactive manner.</p>