Intravenous oxygen insufflation (IOI) changes the IL-1-Ra:IL-1β ratio in autologous conditioned serum

Abstract

Background Interleukin-1 (IL-1) is still regarded as the main offender that promotes the pro-inflammatory cascade in muscle injuries, tendopathies and especially in osteoarthritis. Thus, if present in high enough concentrations, IL-1receptor antagonist (IL-1Ra) has the potential to inhibit Interleukin-1. In this regard, autologous conditioned serum with an IL-1Ra/IL-1 ratio of at least > 10 might fulfill optimal therapeutic effects. The aim of the study was to analyze whether a pretreatment of patients with the oxygen insuffliation according to Regelsberger (IOI) might lead to an increased ratio of IL-RA to IL-1ß in autologous serum prepared after the respective therapy. Methods Venous blood from 15 patients which underwent intravenous oxygen insufflation (IOI) for routinely preventive purposes was taken before the first, the 6th, and the 9th session of intravenous oxygen insufflation. IL-1β and IL-1-RA levels were quantified from serum and from autologous conditioned serum (ACS) prepared from the drawn venous blood. Results Previous intravenous oxygen insufflation treatments significantly reduced IL-1β levels in autologous conditioned serum from mean 67.85 pg/ml (before the first treatment) down to mean 4.08 pg/ml (before the 9th treatment). Post conditioning levels of IL-1Ra were not changed to any significant degree (before 1st/before6th/ before 9th treatment: 1038.37 ± 140.51 / 900.30 ± 79.24 / 902.84 ± 95.68). Thus, the IL-1Ra:IL-1β ratio was altered on a molecule to molecule basis from a mean of 37.03:1 up to a mean 223.54:1 through the pretreatment with oxygen insuffliation according to Regelsberger. Conclusion Pretreatment of patients with IOI alters the IL-1Ra:IL-1ß ratio of autologous conditioned serum to a more favorable ratio which might mitigate the inflammatory cascade more efficaciously. Therefore, we suggest to perform intravenous oxygen insufflation on patients before they give blood for preparing ACS.