Expression of cytokines IL-1 β , IL-6 and TNF-α in intervertebral disc lesions of spinal tuberculosis

Objective: To investigate the gene expression of cytokines IL-1β, IL-6 and TNF-α in intervertebral disc lesions of spinal tuberculosis. Methods: Forty patients with spinal tuberculosis treated in our hospital from May 2014 to May 2016 were included in the spinal tuberculosis group, and other 40 patients with spinal disorders concurrently treated in our hospital were enrolled in the control group. With SPS 9001 kit, the expression levels of cytokines IL-1β, IL-6 and TNF-α of the two groups were examined using the enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), and then statistical analyses were performed. Results: The levels of cytokines IL-1β, IL-6 and TNF-α levels among the patients in the spinal tuberculosis group (0.385±0.091 pg/ml, 0.378±0.097 pg/ml, 0.276±0.052) pg/ ml, respectively) were significantly higher than those in the control group (0.190±0.066 pg/ml, 0.177±0.058 pg/ml, 0.147±0.043 pg/ml, respectively) (P<0.05). Conclusion: The levels of cytokines IL-1β, IL-6 and TNF-α in intervertebral disc lesions of spinal tuberculosis were upregulated, which is worthy of clinical notice.