One-way ANOVA comparing the IL-10, TNF-alpha and IL-4 concentrations between hydrolyzed protein diets (n = 6), commercial intact protein diets (n = 24) and home-prepared diets (n = 6) in dogs with suspected or confirmed CE showed a significant difference for IL-10 and TNF-alpha concentrations, but not IL-4 concentrations (P-values 0.005, < 0.001 and 0.125, respectively). This evidence concerns the gene IL4 and cholesteryl ester measurement.