EFFECTS OF COLCHICINE ON INFLAMMATORY CYTOKINES AND SELECTINS IN FAMILIAL MEDITERRANEAN FEVER

Objective To evaluate whether basal levels of circulating cytokines an d selectins exhibit a distinct profile in attack-free, non-colchicine taking familial Mediterranean fever (FMF) patients compared to normal healthy controls, and to determine the effect of colchicine treatment on these parameters. Methods Serum levels of interleukin (IL)-6, IL-8, tumor necrosis factor ((TNF)-alpha and soluble P-, E-, and L-selectin in attack-free, asymptomatic, non-colchicine using FMF patients (n = 11) and in normal controls (n = 10) were studied Following 2 months of colchicine treatment the same parameters were evaluated again in the FMF patients. Results Before colchicine treatment the serum levels of all parameters except soluble P-selectin were significantly higher in FMF patients than in controls. After two months of treatment statistic ally significant decreases were observed in these parameters (p < 0.05 ). Conclusion A distinct profile of IL-6, IL-8, TNF-alpha, and soluble E- and L-selectin levels was observed in FMF patients, which could re flect the presence of sustained inflammation in attack-free FMF patien ts. The effect of colchicine on these parameters suggests its therapeu tic potential.