Evaluation of Serum Interleukin -6 Levels in Helicobacter Pylori Infected Patients

Interleukin -6 has various immunological effects that is mainly considered as a pro-inflammatory cytokine as well as an anti-inflammatory one. IL-6 has been shown to be upregulated during Helicobacter plylori infection of gastric mucosa. The serum levels of IL-6 determination during the infection with H. pylori were the aim of current study. During the study period a total number 75 blood samples were collected. The obtained serum was tested for anti- H. pylori IgG. Subjects comprised 28 males and 47 females with age ranged from 14-65 years. The other parts of serum samples were stored at -20 ˚C till use. Il-6 levels were examined by using specific human IL-6 antibody kit detected by highly sensitive enzyme -linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). According to the results of anti- H. pylori IgG subjects were divided into two groups one which comprised subjects tested positive (seropositive) which comprised (60) subjects and the other included those tested negative (seronegative) which included (15) subjects. The mean age of seropositive group was (28.97± 9.9) years while that of seronegative group was (26.92±8.9) years. Females were more than males in both groups ;(36, 11) in seropositive and seronegatve groups respectively as compared with (24, 4) males in seropositive and seronegative groups respectively. Regarding serum levels of IL-6 results showed that they were (8.5±3.46) pg/ml and (8.4±2.11) pg/ml for seropositive and seronegative groups respectively, with no significant differences. However these mean value represent higher estimate when compared with globally registered IL-6 normal values. Similarly no statistical differences were shown between genders.