Serum interleukin-1, interleukin-2, interleukin-6, and prolactin levels are not associated with the severity of disease in patients with the irritable bowel syndrome, with or without concomitant fibromyalgia

Objectives: Serum levels of prolactin, interleukin-1 [IL-1], interleukin-2 [IL-2], and interleukin-6 [IL-6] were determined in patients with the irrit able bowel syndrome [IBS], both IBS and the fibromyalgia syndrome [FMS], an d matched healthy normal controls [HNC]. The purpose of this pilot study wa s to evaluate whether serum levels of these cytokines correlate with the pr esence of either or both of these functional disorders and with their sever ity. Methods: A study of 76 IBS patients [Rome criterial with 68 HNC matched by age and gender. Participants completed detailed questionnaires and were tes ted for FMS. Serum levels of IL-1, IL-2 and IL-6 were determined for all pa rticipants using the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay method, and prolacti n levels were determined by the immunoradiometric assay. Results: Although patients with functional disorders [IBS-only or both IBS and FMS] had more severe symptoms and complaints than HNC, there were no si gnificant differences in serum prolactin or cytokine levels between these g roups. Conclusions: Serum prolactin and IL-1, IL-2, and IL-6 levels do not differe ntiate between patients with functional disorders and HNC, and are not corr elated with severity of the disorder.