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Changes in serum cytokine levels during plasmapheresis in patients with myasthenia gravis
Author(s) -
Yeh J.H.,
Wang S.H.,
Chien P.J.,
Shih C.M.,
Chiu H.C.
Publication year - 2009
Publication title -
european journal of neurology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.881
H-Index - 124
eISSN - 1468-1331
pISSN - 1351-5101
DOI - 10.1111/j.1468-1331.2009.02729.x
Subject(s) - plasmapheresis , medicine , myasthenia gravis , thymectomy , cytokine , pathogenesis , tumor necrosis factor alpha , gastroenterology , immunology , antibody
Background: The effect of plasmapheresis on cytokine levels in patients with myasthenia gravis (MG) has not been well established. Methods: Cytokine levels were measured in 19 patients with MG before and after treatment with one course of double‐filtration plasmapheresis (DFP). The control group comprised 6 age‐ and sex‐matched healthy volunteers. Results: At baseline, patients with MG had higher levels of IL‐10 than normal controls. The levels of IL‐2, IL‐4, IL‐5, and tumor necrosis factor‐α were almost undetectable in MG patients. After a single session of DFP treatment, IL‐10 levels were significantly increased. After three sessions, IL‐10 levels were still higher than those at baseline. Elevated IL‐10 level was significantly associated with use of immunosuppressant drugs, thymectomy, and good response to DFP treatment. Conclusions: Interleukin‐10 might play a crucial role in the pathogenesis and perpetuation of MG.