ABSTRACT
Overproduction of IL-18 has been described in chronic urticaria. To evaluate free IL-18 and IL-33 in chronic spontaneous urticaria (CSU). IL-18, its inhibitor IL-18BP, IL-33 and its soluble receptor ST2 (sST2) were measured (ELISA) in the sera of 73 CSU patients. Free IL-18 was calculated (law of mass action). Autologous serum skin test (ASST) was performed in all patients. Total IL-18, IL-18BP and free IL-18 serum levels were significantly higher in CSU than in controls. IL-18 and IL-18BP increased significantly in both ASST-positive and negative subgroups. Free IL-18 resulted significantly higher in the ASST-negative, but not in the ASST-positive subgroup. No differences in IL-33/sST2 levels were detected between CSU and controls. Increased levels of free IL-18 and IL-18BP, but not IL-33, was detected in CSU. Whether IL-18 up-regulation is a consequence of inflammation or one of the causes of the pathology needs to be addressed.
Subject(s)
Interleukin-18/blood , Interleukins/blood , Urticaria/blood , Adolescent , Adult , Aged , Aged, 80 and over , Chronic Disease , Female , Humans , Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins/metabolism , Interleukin-33 , Male , Middle Aged , Young AdultSubject(s)
Angioedema/drug therapy , Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal/therapeutic use , Bradykinin B2 Receptor Antagonists , Bradykinin/analogs & derivatives , Angioedema/immunology , Angioedema/metabolism , Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal/administration & dosage , Bradykinin/administration & dosage , Bradykinin/metabolism , Bradykinin/therapeutic use , Humans , Injections, Subcutaneous , Male , Middle Aged , Receptor, Bradykinin B2/metabolismABSTRACT
We describe a 36 year old male patient affected by microscopic polyangiitis; he was treated with corticosteroic and cyclophosphamide pulses obtaining clinical improvement and remission and acute flogistic index normalization. The peculiar aspect is a stable remission during a four years follow up; the only relapse was controlled with low dose of corticosteroids.
