Question

Which of the following best explains the relationship between interleukin-6 (IL-6) and the erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR)?

A. IL-6 inhibits ESR by preventing red blood cell aggregation.
B. IL-6 promotes the release of acute phase reactants like fibrinogen, which, in turn, increases ESR.
C. IL-6 decreases the level of C-reactive protein (CRP), which elevates ESR.
D. IL-6 has no direct effect on ESR.

Answer 1

Option (B), IL-6 increases the erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) by promoting the release of acute phase reactants like fibrinogen, which causes red blood cells to aggregate more easily and settle faster during measurement.

Step-by-step explanation:

The relationship between interleukin-6 (IL-6) and the erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) can be explained as follows: IL-6 promotes the release of acute phase reactants like fibrinogen, which, in turn, increases ESR. This is because during an inflammatory response, IL-6 stimulates the liver to produce these acute phase reactants, which increase the plasma concentration and aggregation ability of red blood cells, leading to a higher ESR.