Assesment of IL33 and IL37 levels in patients with multiple seclerosis

Document Type : Original Article

Author

DNA Research Center, University of Babylon, Hilla 51002, Iraq

Abstract
Multiple sclerosis is a chronic neuroimmune disorder characterised by a malfunction in the regulation of the immune response within the central nervous system, leading to persistent neuritis and neurological disabilities to varying degrees. This imbalance includes increased inflammatory activity and a decrease in the efficiency of immunosuppressive regulation.This study aimed to measure the serological levels of interleukin-33 (IL-33) and interleukin-37 (IL-37) in multiple sclerosis patients, and to analyse the relationship between these levels and the severity of neurological disability and disease activity. A case-control study was conducted involving 50 patients diagnosed with multiple sclerosis, and 40 people who were healthy as a control group, all from Marjan Medical City Hospital in Babylon Governorate. Blood samples were collected at the base stage. Serum levels of interleukin-33 and interleukin-37 have been determined using ELISA. The severity of neurological disability was also assessed using the Extended Disability Case Scale (EDSS). The results showed a statistically significant increase in IL-33 levels in MS patients compared to the control group, while a significant decrease in IL-37 levels was observed. A positive correlation was also found between IL-33 levels and EDSS scores, as opposed to a reverse correlation between IL-37 levels and the severity of neurological disability.The results of the study indicate an imbalance between cytokines that stimulate and inhibit the inflammatory response in multiple sclerosis patients, as evidenced by the IL-33/IL-37 axis. This can contribute to providing indications for understanding the pathological activity and variation in the severity of neurological disability.

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Volume 12, Issue 3
Summer 2026
Pages 19-30

  • Receive Date 19 January 2026
  • Revise Date 20 May 2026
  • Accept Date 20 May 2026
  • First Publish Date 25 June 2026
  • Publish Date 01 July 2026