To determine the levels of the inflammatory cytokines IL1 alpha, IL1 beta, TNF alpha, IL6, IL8 and of their inhibitors TNF-sR55, TNF-s R75 and IL1-Ra during temperature elevation in systemic juvenile chronic arthritis.
Fifty-six serum samples were collected at regular intervals from seven children during 8 fever cycles. Cytokine levels were determined using enzyme-linked immunoassays.
Levels of IL1 alpha, IL1 beta, TNF alpha and IL8 showed no variations. In contrast, IL6 and IL1-Ra levels paralleled the fever spikes. TNF-sR75 levels were also correlated with the fever.
Fever dynamics in systemic juvenile chronic arthritis may be partly related to cytokine variations.