RESUMO
BACKGROUND: Cytokines produced by macrophages and neutrophils participate in the host's defense mechanism; in infectious processes. Interleukins such as LI-1, IL-6, and tumor necrosis factor (TNF) also have a role in these acute phase mechanisms. OBJECTIVE: Assess the effect of sodium naproxen on the serum concentration of IL-1, IL-6 and TNF in acute infectious process. MATERIAL A METHODS: Eighteen patients with clinical diagnosis of acute purulent pharyngitis and/or tonsillitis were randomly assigned to one of two groups of 9 patients each. RESULTS: The patients in the first group received sodium naproxen and those in the other group received placebo. Patients of both groups received procaine G penicillin. Patients in the group receiving sodium naproxen showed improvement of the infectious and febrile syndromes within 72 hours. Patients receiving placebo showed signs and symptoms; of the infections and febrile syndromes for more than three days. DISCUSSION: Patients receiving treatment with sodium naproxen had a statistically significant reduction of the serum concentration of IL-1b as compared to basal and 72 h measurements; there were also statistically significant differences with respect to patients receiving placebo. IL-6 and TNF did not change in any of the groups. These results show that serum IL-1b levels dropped in both groups with a more striking reduction in the group receiving sodium naproxen , that also showed a faster improvement of the symptoms.
