Higher IL-6 and IL6:IGF Ratio in Patients with Barth Syndrome

Plasma from 36 subjects, 22 patients with Barth Syndrome (0.5 - 24？yrs) and 14 healthy control males (8 - 21？yrs) was analyzed for two growth factors: IGF-1 (bound and free) and Growth Hormone (GH); and two inflammatory cytokines IL-6 and TNF-α using high-sensitivity enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays.The average IL-6 and IL6:IGF ratio levels were significantly higher in the BTHS (p？=？0.046 and 0.02 respectively). As for GH, there was a significant group by age interaction (p？=？0.01), such that GH was lower for BTHS patients under the age of 14.4？years and higher than controls after age 14.4？years. TNF-α levels were not significantly different, however, the TNF-α:GH was lower in BTHS patients than controls (p？=？0.01).Comparison of two anabolic growth mediators, IGF and GH, and two catabolic cytokines, IL-6 and TNF-α, in BTHS patients and healthy age-matched controls demonstrated a potential imbalance in inflammatory cytokines and anabolic growth factors. Higher rates of IL-6 (all ages) and lower GH levels were observed in BTHS patients (under age 14.5) compared to controls. These findings may implicate inflammatory processes in the catabolic nature of Barth Syndrome pathology as well as provide a link to mitochondrial function. Furthermore, interactions between growth factors, testosterone and inflammatory mediators may explain some of the variability in cardiac and skeletal myopathies seen in Barth Syndrome.