Relationship between serum levels of IL-10, MRI activity and interferon beta-1a therapy in patients with relapsing remitting MS

Background: The purposes of this study were to: (1) compare monthly serum I L-10 in patients with relapsing remitting (RR) multiple sclerosis (MS) and healthy controls, (2) determine the relationship between IL-10 and MRI acti vity and (3) determine the effect of interferon beta-1a (IFNB-1a) treatment on IL-10 levels. Results: Median serum IL-10 levels were lower in untreate d RRMS (185.5 pg/ml) compared to controls (438.5 pg/ml) (P=0.19). Serum lev els of IL-10 did not appear to predict the appearance of new gadolinium-enh ancing (Gd+) lesions concurrently or 1 month thereafter. However, IL-10 lev els were more likely to be elevated the month during which Gd+ lesions reso lved (OR=3.14, P=0.01). Median IL-10 levels were lower during IFNB-1a treat ment (P=0.01). Conclusions: These observations suggest a relationship betwe en serum IL-10 levels and resolution of abnormal vascular permeability in n ew lesions. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.