To investigate the possible role of interleukin-6 (IL-6) and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) on the pathogenesis of Graves’ ophthalmopathy (GO)

the serum IL-6 and TNF-alpha concentrations were evaluated by radioimmunoassay from 38 patients with GO

33 patients with Graves’ disease (GD) without ophthalmopathy

and also from 24 healthy subjects. The serum IL-6

TNF-alpha levels were significantly higher in the patients with GO (x ± s 341.7 ± 151.8 and 784.4 ± 1103.5pg/mL) than those in the patients with GD (x ± s 174.7 ± 53.5 and 597.9± 400.0pg/mL)

(P<0.01

P<0.05). No significant difference in the mean serum IL-6

TNF-alpha was found between the patients with GD and normal control group (P>0.05). The serum levels of IL-6 and TNF-alpha in the patients with GO were positively correlated (r=0.45

P<0.01). The results suggested that IL-6 and TNF-alpha might be an important factor in the pathogenesis of GO.