AIM: To discuss the changes of IL-17, IL-21 in glucocorticoid therapy of active thyroid associated ophthalmopathy(TAO)and analyze the relation with results.

METHODS: The 67 patients(134 eyes)of TAO in our hospital, were divided into activity group(32 patients 64 eyes)and atypical activity group(35 patients 70 eyes)according clinical activity score(CAS)grading standard, and 30 cases of healthy as control group at the same time. The activity group were treated by glucocorticoid therapy treatment, and proceed the CAS scores before and after treatment, measured the degree of exophthalmus and width of palpebral fissure. At the same time, compared the expression level of IL-17 and IL-21 in all groups, and analyzed the correlation between the IL-17 and IL-21 and CAS score.

RESULTS: Compared with control group, expressions of IL-17 and IL-21 in TAO patients were significantly higher(P<0.05). The expressions of IL-17 and IL-21 in active period TAO patients were higher than atypical activity(P<0.05). After glucocorticoid treatment, the expressions of IL-17 in active period TAO patients decreased significantly(P<0.05), and it was significantly positive correlation with CAS score(before treatment: r=0.8847,P=0.042; after treatment: r=0.8886,P=0.0439)the expression of IL-21 in active period TAO patients was significantly positive correlation with CAS score(before treatment: r=0.8893, P=0.0435; after treatment: r=0.8876,P=0.045).

CONCLUSION: IL-17 and IL-21 is closely related to the TAO disease activity, and glucocorticoids impact treatment by reducing IL-17 and IL-21 in activity TAO, IL-17 and IL-21 can be used as one of indexes of predicted curative effect and condition in patients with TAO.