Evaluation of Interleukin-6 Gene Expression and Serum Level Related with Medications and Course of Disease in Sample of Multiple Sclerosis Iraqi Patients
Abstract
Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a common autoimmune neurological illness. Many investigations have elucidated the aberrant production of particular cytokines over the course of disease may effected via the type of medications. This study aimed to evaluate gene expression and serum level of interleukin-6 (IL-6) related with medications and courses of disease that probably contributing in susceptibility of MS. Blood samples were obtained from 75 MS Iraqi patients, whom received various medications as betaferon, gilenya, rituximab and tysabri. Also the study included control group consist of 75 healthy individuals, the estimation of IL-6 expression was achieved via quantitative real time polymerase chains reaction (qRT-PCR), while evaluation of IL-6 serum level was done by using the Enzyme-linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA) The statistical analysis was done by Statistical Analysis System (SAS) to identify the impact of different factors on research parameters. The results revealed that the most common MS course was Relapsing Remitting MS (RRMS) 53(70.7%), as well as, the mainly medication used in treatment of MS Iraqi patients was Betaferon 36(48%), also the results showed that IL-6 gene expression was increased in MS patients (1.87±0.12 folds) as compared to the control group (0.51±0.04 folds), furthermore IL-6 serum level was noteworthy increased in patients group (15.28+0.40 pg/ml) compared to the control group (4.40+0.22 pg/ml), the findings of impact of duration of disease on IL-6 levels revealed that highest IL-6 level was in PPMS followed by SPMS and RRMS, while the result of medications impact on IL-6 levels in MS patients indicated greatest IL-6 averages in patients whom received interferon-ß followed by fingolimod, retuxan, and natalizumab, in general there were diminish in IL-6 serum level in all patients whom used any type of mentioned medications.
