Increased release of interleukin-6 by oesophageal mucose in children with reflux oesophagitis

Objective To evaluate the release of interleukin-6 (IL-6) by oesophageal mu cosa and to establish the serum levels of IL-6 and C-reactive protein (CRP) , and plasma fibrinogen in children with reflux oesophagitis. Design In a prospective study, IL-6 release by tissue fragments obtained fr om oesophageal biopsies was determined and serum IL-6 and CRP as well as pl asma fibrinogen were analysed. Methods The study population comprised ten children with reflux oesophagiti s, diagnosed on the basis of 24 h oesophageal pH monitoring and endoscopy w ith biopsies. Ten children with recurrent abdominal pain were studied for c omparative purposes. Biopsy tissue fragments were processed to obtain a cel l suspension and the release of IL-6 was determined in culture medium. Seru m IL-6 levels were measured by ELISA, serum CRP by turbidimetry, and plasma fibrinogen by spectrophotometry. Results Oesophageal cells obtained from reflux oesophagitis patients synthe size and release in vitro a significantly higher amount of IL-6 than contro ls (71.26 +/- 19.5 versus 31.67 +/- 8.02 pg/10(6) cells; P< 0.01). Serum IL -6, serum CRP and plasma fibrinogen levels were not statistically different between patients with reflux oesophagitis and controls, Conclusions These results suggest a short-term action of IL-6 since its eff ects could be exerted only in the microenvironment of the oesophageal mucos a. Eur J Gastroenterol Hepatol 11:839-843 (C) 1999 Lippincott Williams & Wi lkins.