title: Effects of the streptococcal preparation OK-432 on in vitro cytokine production of peripheral blood mononuclear cells in patients with chronic viral hepatitis.
abstract: We obtained peripheral blood mononuclear cells from 12 chronic hepatitis Type B patients, 12 Type C patients, and 15 healthy volunteers, and investigated the effects of OK-432, a streptococcal preparation, on in vitro production of 3 types of cytokines. Mononuclear cells in a concentration of 1 x 10(6) cell/ml were prepared in the culture medium. OK-432 (Chugai Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., Tokyo) was added to this preparation and incubated for one to 4 days. Thereafter interleukin-1 beta (IL-1 beta), interleukin-6 (IL-6) and interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) levels in the culture supernatant were measured using enzyme-linked immunoassay kits. Cytokine production levels in cultures with OK-432 were significantly increased in the mononuclear cells of both patients and healthy volunteers. The largest increase was observed with IFN-gamma (p < 0.01), and then with IL-1 beta (p < 0.05). Responses of the cells from chronic hepatitis Type C patients to OK-432 were relatively good. When interferon (alpha and beta) treatment was first introduced, there were high hopes for a high efficacy. However, we now know 50-70% of patients with chronic hepatitis Type C do not respond satisfactorily to interferon. Some physicians suggest the necessity of using biological response modifier (BRM) as an adjuvant treatment for these patients. From our findings, OK-432 could be a useful BRM in patients with chronic hepatitis Type C.
authors.affiliation: Department of Laboratory Medicine, Mie University School of Medicine, Japan.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Yamashiki
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Nishimura
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Takase
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Nakano
authors.forename: Y
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Kosaka
mesh_terms: D002478:Cells, Cultured; D002908:Chronic Disease; D016207:Cytokines / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay / Q000379:methods; D006509:Hepatitis B / Q000097:blood / Q000276:immunology*; D006526:Hepatitis C / Q000097:blood / Q000276:immunology*; D006801:Humans; D007155:Immunologic Factors; D007371:Interferon-gamma / Q000096:biosynthesis; D007375:Interleukin-1 / Q000096:biosynthesis; D015850:Interleukin-6 / Q000096:biosynthesis; D007963:Leukocytes, Mononuclear / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism; D010844:Picibanil / Q000494:pharmacology*; D013291:Streptococcus
chemical_list: D016207:Cytokines; D007155:Immunologic Factors; D007375:Interleukin-1; D015850:Interleukin-6; D010844:Picibanil; D007371:Interferon-gamma