Synthesis of Interleukin-10 in Patients with Ulcerative Colitis and Helicobacter pylori Infection

METHODS: Detection of H. pylori infection was performed by a 13C-urea breath test in 31 patients with UC. In each patient, a serum sample was drawn to measure IL-10 by the ELISA technique. Based on the primary breath test result, two groups were formed and serum IL-10 was measured. RESULTS: Serological IL-10 levels in patients with UC and negative 13C-urea breath test was 10.28 pg/ml whereas in patients with UC and positive 13C-urea breath test was 5.5 pg/ml (P = 0.035). IL-10 levels were higher in the inflammatory endoscopic and histological active groups which tested positive in the 13C-urea breath tests for H. pylori (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The role of IL-10 secretion in patients with UC in determining the clinicopathological outcome of infection merits further study. This study suggests an association between serum IL-10 and disease severity in patients with UC and HP infection.