Background: Graves’ orbitopathy (GO) is considered an autoimmune condition in close relationship with Graves’ disease (GD) affecting the thyroid. Several similarities exist between the two conditions, sharing the common antigen and the characteristics of the inflammation mediated by a number of cytokines. The result of the immune reactions will lead to the expansion of adipose tissue, production of glycosaminoglycans and soft tissue inflammation.
Material and methods: In our study we examined the serum level of interleukin-1 (IL-1), interleukin 2 (IL-2), interleukin-4 (IL-4), interleukin-6 (IL-6), interleukin-8 (IL-8), interleukin-10 (IL-10), monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1), tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), and interferon-gamma (IFN-γ) in correlation with the activity of disease and smoking habits in 25 patients with GD and GO.
Results: We found that smokers had higher serum IL-6 and lower serum MCP-1, IL-8 and TNF-α level compared to non-smokers. Also, we found a weak positive correlation between serum IL-10, IFN-γ and disease activity (clinical activity score, CAS) and negative correlation between serum IL-1 and activity.
Conclusion: Our findings support the fact that some cytokines (IL-10, IFN-γ, IL-1) play a role in active disease, while others are influenced by environmental factors, such as smoking (IL-6, IL-8, TNF-α). The discrepancy of cytokine profiles may reflect different patient characteristics, such as disease stage and disease activity and determination of serum cytokines would be useful in selecting patients who need more aggressive treatment protocols.