INTERLEUKIN-1-ALPHA, SOLUBLE INTERLEUKIN-2 RECEPTOR, AND IGG CONCENTRATIONS IN CYSTIC-FIBROSIS TREATED WITH PREDNISOLONE

The cytokines interleukin-1 and interleukin-2 participate in the infla mmatory response, and may contribute to hypergammaglobulinaemia G and the development of lung injury in cystic fibrosis. Anti-inflammatory t reatment with corticosteroids may attenuate this response. The effect of a 12 week course of oral prednisolone on spirometry and serum conce ntrations of interleukin-1 alpha (IL-1 alpha), soluble interleukin-2 r eceptor (sIL-2R), and IgG was investigated in 24 children with cystic fibrosis. Prednisolone was administered, in a double blind and placebo controlled manner, at an initial dose of 2 mg/kg daily for 14 days an d tapered to 1 mg/kg on alternate days for 10 weeks. The treated group (n=12) experienced an increase in forced expiratory volume in one sec ond and forced vital capacity at 14 days, however, these changes were smaller at 12 weeks. In the treated group, change in pulmonary functio n was associated with decreased serum IgG and cytokine concentrations. Prednisolone suppresses serum concentrations of these cytokines, whic h may participate in the inflammatory response, the excessive synthesi s of IgG, and airflow obstruction observed in cystic fibrosis patients .