In our study the IBD patients with exacerbations of the intestinal lesions were characterized by significantly higher levels of serum IL-6, IL-17 and IL-23 (32.49 ± 19.57 vs. 7.46 ± 4.63 pg/mL, p = 0.002,  t =  − 3.526, df = 20; 234.88 ± 127.09 vs. 79.28 ± 68.40 pg/mL,  p = 0.005, t =  − 3.187, df = 20; 188.58 ± 132.33 vs. 51.47 ± 14.90 pg/mL, p = 0.006, t  =  − 3.099, df = 20; respectively). Here, IL6 is linked to irritable bowel syndrome.