Mucosal Cytokine Production in Radiation-Induced Proctosigmoiditis Compared With Inflammatory Bowel Disease

Abstract

The mucosal levels of IL-2, IL-6, and IL-8 were significantly higher in both diseased and normal segments of colon in patients with radiation proctitis, compared with normal controls. Only IL-1beta levels were significantly higher in diseased segments, compared with endoscopically normal-appearing segments in radiation proctitis. These results indicate that there is a similarity in the activation of mucosal cytokines between IBD and radiation proctosigmoiditis. This may partly explain the beneficial effects of similar topical and systemic agents such as steroids and mesalamine compounds when used in radiation-induced proctosigmoiditis.

Radiation induces proinflammatory dysbiosis: transmission of inflammatory susceptibility by host cytokine induction

“…Radiation-induced tissue damage in humans was shown to be associated with elevated levels of interleukin 2 (IL-2), IL-6, IL-8 and particularly IL-1β 4. We have previously shown that IL-1β was also most closely correlated with tissue injury in a mouse radiation proctitis (RP) model 5…”

Recent advances in the management of radiation colitis

“…Tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) levels are also significantly elevated in irradiated mice compared with non-irradiated controls [5] . These data may partially explain the beneficial effects of similar systemic and topical drugs including mesalamine compounds and steroids when used in radiation-induced proctosigmoiditis [6] .…”

The Insulin-Like Growth Factor System and Markers of Inflammation in Adult Patients with Inflammatory Bowel Disease

“…Interleukin-6 (IL-6) is suggested to play a significant role in intestinal inflammation [11, 12] andIL-6 reflects the degree and extent of disease activity [13] with a closer correlation between IL-6 and active disease in pediatric UC patients than CD patients [14,15,16]. …”