Use of Serum Levels of Proinfl ammatory Use of Serum Levels of Proinfl ammatory Cytokine IL-1 Cytokine IL-1a in Chronic Hepatitis C in Chronic Hepatitis C

A B S T R A C T ABS TR A CT Immunoregulatory cytokines infl uence the persistence of hepatitis C virus chronic infection and the extent of liver dam- age. Interleukin-1 plays an important role in the infl ammatory process. Some studies have demonstrated that IL-1 produc- tion was impaired in patients with chronic infections of hepatitis C virus, implying that IL-1 may play a role in viral clearance. In this study, along with routine laboratory tests, has been performed the analysis of serum levels of proinfl am- matory cytokine IL-1a in order of better understanding and monitoring of chronic hepatitis C. The aim of study was to analyze the usefulness of laboratory tests, which are routinely used in the assessment of liver disease with specifi ed im- munological parameters, in patients with chronic hepatitis C. Total of 60 subjects were divided into two groups: HCV- PCR positive and negative group. The control group of 30 healthy participans was included. Apart from standard laboratory tests, the analysis included serum levels of cytokine IL-1 a. IL-1a had the highest mean concentration in group of viral hepatitis C, with PCR positive test (5.73 pg / mL), and then in of chronic viral hepatitis C, PCR negative test (5.39 pg / mL). ANOVA test proves that IL-1a in the healthy group was different from other groups as follows: in relation to HCV- RNA- PCR positive patients statistical signifi cance level was p<0.001 (F=32 755); in relation to HCV- RNA- PCR negative was also statistically signifi cant at p <0.001 (F=182 361); Cytokine IL-1 was statistically analyzed separately and com- pared by group 1 and 2 using Student t-test for independent samples. Statistical signifi cance was observed at p=0.026. IL-1 a was positively correlated with the duration of the illness (p<0.01) and with serum ALT activity (p<0.01) and serum AST activity (p<0.01). Using multivariate analysis model »Factor Analysis«, was made signifi cant stratifi cation predic- tive parameters in relation to the cytokine IL-1a, stratifi ed signifi cance is indicated as follows: 1. Age, 2. history of receiv- ing transfusions, 3. ALT, 4. AST, 5. MELD score (negative), 6. Child-Pugh score (negative). IL-1a was signifi cantly ele- vated in infl ammatory conditions of pronounced activity (PCR positive hepatitis). IL-1a may have important role as marker of both infl ammation and hepatic injury, particularly in the course of hepatitis C. Results suggest that infl amma- tory and immune parameters, analyzed together can signifi cantly contribute to the understanding and predicting of chronic liver damage.