The Role of Interleukin 8(CCL8) in Diagnosis and Prognosis of Patients with Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis

Background: Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis (HT), additionally known as chronic lymphocytic thyroiditis, is one of the most prevalent autoimmune diseases that involve inflammation of the thyroid gland. Interleukin 8 (IL-8), also referred to as CXCL8, is a chemokine which promotes inflammation. It is the most potent chemokine in attracting human neutrophils and plays an essential role in the response to inflammatory chemokines. Objectives: The main goal of this study is to compare the levels of CXCL8 (IL-8) in Iraqi patients with Hashimoto’s thyroiditis to a healthy control group. Materials and Methods: This study uses venous blood from 90 individuals, divided into two groups: 45 patients with HT and 45 healthy controls. The levels of blood parameters, involving thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) determined using Cobas e411, Free Thyroxine (Free T4), Free Triiodothyronine (Free T3), anti-thyroperoxidase (anti-TPO Ab), and anti-thyroglobulin (anti-TG) estimated by Hotgen MQ60, and the levels of interleukin 8 (IL-8) measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay ((ELISA), have been evaluated for both patients and a healthy control group. Results: The study included 90 individuals divided into two groups: 45 patients HT and 45 healthy controls. The demographic characteristics of the involved individuals include sex and age. These results demonstrate no significant difference between the study groups according to sex and age, also in FT3 and FT4. While a highly significant increase in the concentration of CXCL8, TSH, anti TPO, and anti TG among the study groups. Also, a negative correlation exists between TSH and thyroid hormone while a positive correlation exists between anti TPO and anti TG in patients compared to the healthy control group. Conclusion: Hashimoto’s thyroiditis has led to significantly differing mean levels of CXCL8 in Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis.