1,25-Dihydroxycholecalciferol [1,25(
OH)2D], besides its role in
calcium and
phosphorus homeostasis, is also an important immunoregulatory molecule. Plasma levels of this
hormone may be normal or elevated in patients with
primary hyperparathyroidism. 1,25(
OH)2D has been reported to inhibit production of the
cytokines interleukin-2 (IL-2) and
IL-6. In the present study, we examined the effect of
parathyroid adenoma excision on serum
IL-2 receptor (IL-2R) levels and the release and production of IL-2R and
IL-6 by peripheral blood lymphocytes (each measurement was performed twice). Ten patients (5 females and 5 males aged 45 to 78 years) with
primary hyperparathyroidism were enrolled in the study. The diagnosis of
primary hyperparathyroidism was based on the presence of asymptomatic
hypercalcemia,
hypophosphatemia, and elevated serum intact PTH levels. Three weeks after removal of the
parathyroid adenoma, there was a significant increase in the serum level of IL-2R, as well as the PHA-stimulated peripheral blood lymphocyte production of
IL-6 and release of IL-2R. The results indicate that the removal of a
parathyroid adenoma in patients with
primary hyperparathyroidism causes a significant increase in IL-2R and
IL-6 levels. The mechanism by which
hyperparathyroidism may affect these
cytokines and how they seem related to the levels of
vitamin D is discussed.