INCREASED INTERLEUKIN-2 LEVEL IN PATIENTS WITH PRIMARY HYPOTHYROIDISM

The effects of hypothyroid status in humans on cytokine blood levels have been studied. Evaluations of interleukin-1β (IL-1β), interleukin-2 (IL-2), thyrotropin, thyroxine, and triiodothyronine were performed in seven patients with primary hypothyroidism and eight euthyroid healthy control subjects on the basis of venous blood samples collected after an overnight rest. A normal level of IL-1β (23 ± 15 fmol/ml) and an increased IL-2 level (82 ± 56 fmol/ml) have been shown in hypothyroid patients versus controls (IL-1β, 24 ± 5 fmol/ml; IL-2, 33 ± 13 fmol/ml). The possible role of thyroid hormones and of an autoimmune mechanism in the link with increased IL-2 blood level in hypothyroidism in man have been discussed. © 1992.