There is a close relationship between the activity of microorganisms and the level of cytokine expression. The microbiota can affect mucosal integrity by modulating host immune responses characterized by an altered profile of pro-inflammatory and anti-inflammatory cytokines. The cytokine network includes both innate and adaptive systems, the balance of which depends on the state of the body's immune system, as well as the development of an inflammatory reaction, which can be one of the scenarios of the proliferative process. Due to the important role of cytokines in infectious-inflammatory and proliferative processes, there is a growing interest in how cytokines in a complex regulatory network are related to disease progression. Especially if the pathogenesis of the disease is complex, multistage and requires the participation of several types of immunocompetent cells. As a result, a multistage process of interaction between pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines, as well as between cytokines of local and general significance occurs in the cell. The goal is to evaluate the interleukin profile and determine the role of the causative agent in male infertility and the development of inflammatory diseases of the genitourinary system and joints.

It is shown that the microbial profile of the genitourinary system is represented by a constant quantitative and qualitative indicator of microorganisms. Changes in these indicators are primarily correlated with changes in the cytokine profile. Microbial toxins and inducible enzymes of aggression activate the expression and differentiation of secondary messengers of inflammatory and proliferative processes. Cytokine IL-2 is a marker of dysbacteriosis, as it is always found when the qualitative and quantitative indicator of microflora of the genitourinary system changes. The increased concentration of IL-6, IL-8, IL-10 indicates the progression of the infectious process in inflammatory diseases of the genitourinary system of men and infertility, and in many cases IL-6 is expressed in stressful situations and is a marker of proliferation. The increased concentration of IL-17 occurs during the period when microorganisms activate their own inducible enzymes of aggression to activate intracellular parasitism. Pathogenic bacteria produce toxic metabolites that directly or indirectly contribute to cancer and increase the level of IL-20, IL-22, IL-23 IL-24, IL-26, IL-36. It was shown that in an autoimmune disease, such as rheumatoid arthritis, the concentration of IL-18 (cytokine of the IL-1 family) in the blood serum of infertile men was on average 1.38 times higher than that of fertile men, the level of IL-6 was higher by 7.04 times, and the indicator of IFN-γ concentration exceeded the norm by more than three times. Elevated serum levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines are a characteristic feature of impaired immune reactivity for autoimmune pathology [18]. Significant changes in the serum cytokine profile were recorded in men with diagnosed idiopathic infertility. The level of pro-inflammatory cytokines increased statistically significantly: IL-18 – 3.02 times, IL-6 – 3.16 times, IFN-γ – 2.73 times. In parallel, the concentration of anti-inflammatory substances increased: IL-10 – 3.09 times, TGF-β1 – 1.14 times. Conclusion. The microbial profile of the genitourinary system is represented by a constant quantitative and qualitative indicator of microorganisms. Changes in these indicators are primarily correlated with changes in the cytokine profile. Microbial toxins and inducible enzymes of aggression activate the expression and differentiation of secondary messengers of inflammatory and proliferative processes. athogenic bacteria produce toxic metabolites that directly or indirectly contribute to cancer and increase the level of IL-20, IL-22, IL-23 IL-24, IL-26, IL-36. The increased concentration of TNF-α is a marker of the inflammatory process, which activates the differentiation of local anti-inflammatory cytokines. In addition, a sudden two-fold increase in the concentration of TNF-α in the intercellular space indicates cell necrosis and apoptosis. The activity of the inflammatory process controlled by cytokines depends on the degree of affinity between interleukin and its receptor both at the cellular and tissue levels. Inflammatory diseases of the joints and genitourinary system are controlled by pro- and anti-inflammatory interleukins. Elevated levels of IL-8, IL-10, IL-27, IL-38 in blood serum were detected in inflammatory joint diseases and idiopathic male infertility. According to the obtained data, such increased expression occurs step by step at different levels of the inflammatory process and is regulated by signaling cytokines.

Article received: 15.11.2022

Keywords: microbiome, interleukins, idiopathic infertility, urogenital system, rheumatoid arthritis

Full text: PDF (Ukr)

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