Background/aims: T cell immunoregulatory cytokines may play a crucial role in the host response to hepatitis C virus infection. While T-helper type 1 cytokines are required for host antiviral immune responses, T-helper type 2 cytokines can inhibit the development of these effector mechanisms. The aim of the present study was to determine T-helper type 1 and T-helper type 2 cytokine levels in chronic hepatitis C infection.
Methods: Serum levels of T-helper type 1 cytokine, interferon-gamma (IFN-g), and T-helper type 2 cytokines, IL-4 and IL-10 were measured in 30 patients with hepatitis C infection and 25 healthy controls using ELISA. Serum levels of alanine transaminase were also assessed in both patients and controls. Histologic activity score was evaluated in the chronic hepatic C infected patients.
Results: Serum levels of IFN-g were 59.03+/-46.24 pg/mL, IL-4 were 213.59+/-135.67 pg/mL and IL-10 were 106.73+/-60.85 pg/mL in hepatitis C infected patients whereas in healthy controls they were found to be 61.84+/-54.87 pg/mL, 67.39+/-59.74 pg/mL and 60.14+/-50.73 pg/mL respectively. Serum levels of IL-4, IL-10 but not IFN-g were found to be significantly increased in chronic HCV patients compared to those of control subjects.
Conclusions: Our findings may suggest the involvement of Th2 cytokines in the pathogenesis of chronic hepatitis C virus liver disease.