Activation of cytokines corroborate with development of inflammation and autoimmunity in thromboangiitis obliterans patients

Summary Thromboangiitis obliterans (TAO) is a segmental inflammatory occlusive disorder that affects the arm and leg arteries of young smokers. The immune system seems to play a critical role in the aetiology of TAO; however, knowledge of the aspects involved in the progression of vascular tissue inflammation and, consequently, the evolution of this disease is still limited. This study was carried out to investigate the cytokine levels of tumour necrosis factor (TNF)‐α, interleukin (IL)‐1β, IL‐4, IL‐17 and IL‐23 in the plasma of TAO patients presenting with acute clinical manifestations. The study included 20 TAO patients (n = 10 women; n = 10 men) aged 38–59 years under clinical follow‐up, classified into two groups: (i) TAO former smokers (n = 11) and (ii) TAO active smokers (n = 9); the control groups included normal volunteer non‐smokers (n = 10, active smokers (n = 10) and former smokers (n = 10). Patients' plasma samples were measured using the sandwich enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay. Statistical analyses were performed using the non‐parametric Mann–Whitney U‐test, with parameters significant at P