Cytokines at Patients With Chronic Hepatitis C

Abstract

The serum levels of cytokines TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-2, IL-4 in 85 patients with chronic hepatitis C with various antibodies spectrum to hepatitis C virus (HCV) and in 42 with different morphological changes in liver tissue were studied. In patients with antiNS5 negative and also antiHCV IgM and antiNS5 HCV both negative, IL-1β levels were significantly higher vs. those patients with these antibodies positive. The cytokines levels increased with raise of histological activity. In patients with sclerosis signs in liver bioptates the levels of investigated cytokines were higher than in healthy blood donors. Significant differences of IL-1β from donors were revealed in patients with various degree of sclerosis. Also the levels of IL-1β, IL-2 and TNF-α were higher in patients with heavy sclerosis degree. The prognostic value for early virologic response of cytokine TNF-α before the beginning of treatment was shown.