Adv Med Sci. 2021 Jul 10;66(2):315-320. doi: 10.1016/j.advms.2021.07.002. Online ahead of print.
ABSTRACT
PURPOSE: Graves’ orbitopathy (GO) is an important problem in endocrinology. Currently used methods of assessing the degree of activity of the autoimmune process are not satisfactory. Therefore, there is a need to establish indicators of greater utility.
PATIENTS AND METHODS: The study included 35 patients: 15 with GO, 10 with Graves’ disease (GD) without GO and 10 controls. Patients with GO received methylprednisolone (MP) for 12 weeks. Concentrations of thyrotropin receptor antibodies (TSHRab), interleukin 17 (IL-17) and 23 (IL-23) were obtained before administering the first dose of MP, after 6 and 12 weeks of therapy, and 3 months after treatment cessation. Patients were classified as responders (n = 11) if a reduction of ≥2 points in the Clinical Activity Score (CAS) was observed.
RESULTS: A significant decrease in exophthalmos, muscles’ thickness and CAS value was demonstrated after MP treatment in responders group. Significantly higher concentrations were found in baseline IL-23 between the GD and GO groups compared to controls. No statistically significant differences in serum concentrations of IL-17 and IL-23 were observed during treatment with MP and 3 months after treatment cessation. A statistically significant reduction in TSHRab concentration was demonstrated 3 months after treatment cessation compared to baseline values in responders group.
CONCLUSIONS: Low baseline IL-17 concentration, in addition to high TSHRab titre, serves as marker of disease activity. Although, we expect that low IL-23 concentration, in addition to high TSHRab titre, could be used as predictors of disease activity and a prognostic factor of response to immunosuppressive therapy in GO.
PMID:34256242 | DOI:10.1016/j.advms.2021.07.002
