Evaluation of IL-32 and IL-37 levels in Rheumatoid Arthritis

Abstract

The present study aimed to evaluate the serum level of interleukins 32 and 37 (IL-32 and IL-37) in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients. An ELISA was used to measure the levels of cytokines in the blood of 56 RA patients and 44 healthy volunteers who were enrolled in the study from November 2021 to March 2022. Serum levels of IL-32 and IL-37 in the RA patients were significantly higher compared to the control groups (IL32, p = 0.035; IL37, p = 0.011). In addition, cytokine concentration levels were higher in RA patients under therapy than in RA patients with a first diagnosis and without therapy, with significant differences in IL-37(141.389 ± 24.133 vs. 58.852 ± 7.806 ng/L). In comparison, there were no significant differences in IL-32 (93.740 ± 10.835 vs. 76.722 ± 9.321 ng/L). The results suggest that pro-inflammatory and anti-inflammatory cytokines may play an essential role in the progression of RA. Keywords: Autoimmunity, IL-32, IL-37, Rheumatoid arthritis.