Relationship between IL-18 and sICAM-1 serum levels in patients affected by coeliac disease: preliminary considerations

Objectives: Cytokine production from activated T cells play a pathogenetic role in mucosal lesions of coeliac disease (CD). Active interleukin (IL)-18 is expressed in the small intestinal mucosa in CD but not in healthy controls. IL-18 enhances intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) expression. We analyzed IL-18 serum levels in CD patients before and after gluten-free diet and the possible correlation with soluble ICAM-1 (sICAM-1) serum levels. Methods: The study comprises ten CD patients before and after gluten free diet and ten healthy controls. Serum IL-18 and sICAM-1 levels were assayed by immunoenzymatic methods. Results: Serum IL-18 and sICAM-1 levels were significantly higher in patients with CD before diet with respect to healthy controls ( P