Level of selected pro-inflammatory markers in middle-aged women with Hashimoto’s disease

Abstract

Introduction: Hashimoto's disease is an autoimmune disease in which the body produces antibodies against its own tissues, in this case against thyrocytes. Autoimmune diseases are associated with impaired immune tolerance. The aim of this study was to analyse selected pro-inflammatory markers in women with Hashimoto's (HT) autoimmune thyroiditis compared to a group of healthy women. Material and methods: In this research study 41 women with HT were compared with 30 healthy women. The content of immunological markers was assessed in blood serum by enzyme-linked ELISA methods. Cytokine IL-1ß, IL-6, and TNF-α were assessed. Results: The concentration of IL-1β for women with HT was 3.1 (1.8-4.9) pg/ml, and for healthy women 1.0 (0.1-1.9) pg/ml. The concentration of IL-6 for women with HT was 12.1 (6.7-19.4) pg/ml, and for healthy women 3.8 (2.5-6.7) pg/ml. TNF-α concentration was higher for people with HT, at 3.4 (2.0-4.4) pg/ml, compared to healthy women, who had a level of 2.2 (1.2-3.4) pg/ml), but without significant statistical differences. Conclusions: In HT we observe an increased immune response associated with an elevated concentration of pro-inflammatory cytokines.