Changes in serum levels of pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines in women with papillomavirus infection before and after therapy”

Abstract

Papillomavirus infections (PVI) are among the most common sexually transmitted diseases in the young population. A long, sluggish inflammatory process sufficiently worsens adequate preparation for normal pregnancy. Herpesvirus and Chlamydia infections are the most frequent associations with papillomavirus infection. Many authors believe that PVI may cause dysregulation of pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines revealed in blood serum. Currently, there are no uniform standards for management and treatment of women with papillomavirus infection without pronounced clinical manifestations, in order to prevent morphofunctional disorders of genitourinary system leading to reproductive disorders. However, most authors believe that antiviral and immunomodulatory drugs are the main tool of therapy against expansion of pathogens in the body. The aim of our study was to compare changes in the levels of IL-17, IL-12 p70, IL-12 p40, IL-13 and TGF-p1 in blood serum of women with papillomavirus infection before and after therapy with Inosine pranobex (IP) and Solanum tuberosum (ST). We conducted a survey of 137 patients with papillomavirus infection treated with drugs containing Inosine pranobex and Solanum tuberosum as active substances. The levels of IL-17, IL-12 p70, IL-12 p40, IL-13, and TGF-p1 in blood serum were determined using specific reagents from RD Diagnostics Inc. (USA). Changes in pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines before therapy were as follows: decreased levels were found for IL-12 p70, p40; increased values were revealed for IL-13, IL-17, and TGF-p1. After the courses of therapy, we have registered the following changes in PVI-infected patients treated with synthetic drug Inosine pranobex (IP): the levels of IL-12 p70, IL-12 p40 were increased, along with decrease in IL-13 and TGF-p1. Meanwhile, ST therapy was associated with increase in IL-12 p70, IL-12 p40, and a decrease in IL-13 and TGF-p 1. With IP therapy, patients with combined HPV + HV infection showed an increase in IL-12 p70, IL-12 p40 and a decrease in IL-13, while TGF-p1 did not change. Following ST therapy, these patients exhibited higher IL-12 p70, IL-12 p40, decreased IL-13, whereas TGF-p 1 remained unchanged. In the group of women with HPV + Chlamydia infection, an increase in IL-12 p70, IL-12 p40 and a decrease in IL-13 and TGF-p1 was associated with IP therapy. An increase in IL-12 p70, IL-12 p40 and a decrease in IL-13 and TGF-p 1 were shown after ST therapy. In all groups of patients, IL-17 remained at high levels after therapy without significant differences between the mentioned subgroups. In the groups of patients treated with IP. we have recorded a general normalization of immune disorders.