Relationship of interleukin-1 beta levels and gastroesophageal reflux disease in Korea

Background and Aim: Gastric mucosal expression of interleukin (IL)-1 beta may alter acid secretion and influence the development of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). The relationship of gastric mucosal IL-1 beta level and GERD was evaluated in the Korean population. Methods: Genotypes of IL-1B-511 and IL-1RN VNTR polymorphism and clinical characteristics were analyzed in 44 patients with erosive esophagitis (EE), 32 patients with minimal change lesions (MCL), 54 patients with non-erosive reflux disease (NERD) and 113 controls. Gastric mucosal IL-1 beta levels were measured by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay. Results: Significant differences were found between the EE and the control group with respect to sex, body mass index, and Helicobacter pylori infection. On the other hand, the MCL and the NERD group showed similar characteristics to that of the control group. IL-1B-511 genetic polymorphism showed relationship with gastric mucosal IL-1 beta levels. That is, T/T group (112.4 +/- 14.3 pg/mg) had higher IL-1 beta level than C/C group (59.5 +/- 11.6, P = 0.011). T carriers (92.8 +/- 7.6 pg/mg) showed higher level than T non-carrier group (P = 0.050). In addition, mucosal IL-1 beta level of the EE group (52.3 +/- 9.9 pg/mg) was lower than that of the control (107.8 +/- 12.6 pg/mg, P = 0.001), the MCL (103.1 +/- 13.5 pg/mg, P = 0.004), and the NERD group (83.8 +/- 14.5 pg/mg, P = 0.079). However, genetic polymorphisms of IL-1B-511 and IL-1RN VNTR did not reach statistical significance among four groups. Conclusion: Gastric mucosal IL-1 beta level might be one factor in the development of GERD.