CXCL8 and gastroesophageal reflux disease: Studies have reported that the esophageal mucosa of GERD patients generates more cytokines and chemokines, including interleukin-6, interleukin-8, interleukin-1 beta, tumor necrosis factor-alpha, platelet-activating factor, and reactive oxygen species, consequently elevating the inflammation levels of the central nervous system (10).