Lower Serum IL-10 is an Independent Predictor of IBS Among Volunteers in Mexico

Objectives: Studies suggest that altered immune activation, manifested by an imbalance in anti- and pro-inflammatory cytokine levels, exists in a subgroup of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) patients. However, similar studies have not been conducted in Latin populations. The objective of this study was to measure serum levels of interleukin (IL)-10 and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α in subjects fulfilling symptom criteria for IBS and controls.

Methods: Volunteers (n=178) from a university population in Mexico City, participated in the study. Of the sample, 34.8% met Rome II criteria for IBS and 65.2% were designated as controls. Serum cytokines were measured by enzyme-linked immunoabsorbent assay. Analysis of covariance models were used to test main effects between gender, IBS symptoms, and bowel habit subtype to explain the cytokine serum levels. Statistical models were tested using body mass index as a covariate.

Results: IL-10 levels were significantly lower in IBS vs. controls (mean (95% confidence interval): 15.6 (14.8, 16.3) vs. 18.6 (17.9, 19.4) pg/ml, P<0.001), while TNF-α levels were higher in IBS (20.9 (19.1, 23.0) vs. 17.9 (16.7, 19.3) pg/ml, P=0.010). IBS and female gender were independent predictors for IL-10 (P<0.05). In contrast, female gender was an independent predictor for TNF-α. In addition, women with IBS-D had the lowest IL-10 (P<0.001) and highest TNF-α (P=0.021) vs. other subtypes.

Conclusions: The lower serum IL-10 in our subjects fulfilling IBS Rome II symptom criteria suggests an altered immune regulation. Further studies are needed to elucidate if a lower serum IL-10 may be useful as a biomarker for IBS in the Mexican population, especially for women with IBS-D.