Clinical significance of determination of serum hs-CRP, IL-2, IL-6 and GM-CSF levels after treatment in pediatric patients with acute nephritis

Objective: To explore the clinical significance of determination of serum hs-CRP, IL-2, IL-6 and GM-CSF levels after treatment in pediatric patients with acute nephritis. Methods: Serum hs-CRP (with immuno-turbidity method), IL-2, IL-6 and GM-CSF (with RIA) levels were determined both before and after treatment in 31 pediatric patients with acute nephritis and 35 controls. Results: Before treatment,the serum hs-CRP, IL-6 and GM-CSF levels were significantly higher in the patients than those in controls (P<0.01), but serum IL-2 levels were significantly lower in the patients (P<0.01). After treatment for one month the serum hs-CRP, IL-2, IL-6 and GM-CSF levels in patients were not significantly different from those in controls (P>0.05). Serum IL-2 levels were negatively correlated with the hs-CRP, IL-6 and GM-CSF levels (r=-0.5678, -0.6014, -0.5926, P<0.01). Conclusion: These cytokines participated in the pathogenesis of acute nephritis in pediatric patients. Monitoring the changes of their serum levels was helpful for the management of the diseases. (authors)