Expression Of IL-2,TNF-α In Reflux Esophagitis And Barrett's Esophagus

Objective To explore the role of IL-2 and TNF-αin the pathogenesis of reflux esophagitis and Barrett esophagus.Methods Patients with BE (n=50), RE (n=30) and control group(n=30) were studied.All symptoms were recorded and every subject accepted endoscopy. The serum levels of IL-2 and TNF-αwere determined by ELISA;the expressions of IL-2 and TNF-αin esophageal tissue were determined by immunhistochemical staining. The differences among the three groups were compared and the correlations were analyzed.Results Heartburn and epigastric discomfort were the most common symptoms in RE group and BE group, accounting for (53.3%,42.0%) and (44.0%,46.7%). Among three grades of reflux esophagitis,patients of gradeⅠwere the most(70%) and gradeⅢwere the least(10%).Among four shapes of BE,patients of island BE were the most(34.0%). The level of serum IL-2 in reflux esophagitis group(43.2193 pg/ml) was a little lower than that of BE (45.3041 pg/ml) and the control group(51.3624 pg/ml)(P>0.05).There was no significant difference of IL-2 in serum between RE and BE.The level of serum IL-2 of BE group was a little lower than that of the control group (P>0.05).The level of serum TNF-αin reflux esophagitis group (95.6039pg/ml) was higher than those of BE (93.0234pg/ml) and the control group (88.8900pg/ml)(P>0.05) The higher the grade of reflux esophagitis , the higher of the TNF-αin serum(P>0.05). The level of serum TNF-αin BE group was slightly higher than that of the control group (P>0.05).The proteion expression levels of IL-2 and TNF-αwere few in normal esophageal squamous epithelium and reflux esophagitis,but were more in BE. Positive staining lied in surface glandular epithelium in BE.But there was no statiscally significance in IL-2 and TNF-αstaining(P>0.05).Conclusions The role of IL-2 and TNF-αin occurrence and development of BE and RE is uncertain. There may be no great significance to examinate IL-2 and TNF-αin RE and BE patients.