A Study of Serum Cytokines in Nephrotic Syndrome

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: It has been reported that patients with nephrotic syndrome have high serum IgE value and IL-4 involve in IgE synthesis, IL-6 is an autocrine growth factor for the proliferation of mesangial cells. We studied association between serum cytokines and of nephrotic syndrome. METHODS: We measured serum IL-6, IL-4, IFN-Y, CD23 in 14 children with nephrotic syndrome and 3 healthy children by ELISA. And we also measured serum IgG, IgA, IgM and IgE in 14 children with nephrotic syndrome. RESULTS: 1) The serum IL-4 and CD23 levels of nephrotic syndrome were significantly higher than that of control (P<0.01, P<0.05 respectively). 2) There were no differences in serum IL-6 and IFN-Y levels between control and nephrotic syndrome. 3) The serum value of IgG in nephrotic syndrome were more decreased than that in control group. 4) The serum value of IgE in nephrotic syndrome were more increased than that in control group. 5) There was no differences in the serum values of IgA and IgM between nephrotic syndrome and control group. CONCLUSIONS: The children with nephrotic syndrome had higher serum IL-4, CD23, IgE level than healthy children. In conclusion, nephrotic syndrome is highly associated with the cytokines. I expect that the further study of cytokines in nephrotic syndrome is useful for treatment and prediction of prognosis of nephrotic syndrome.