Interleukin-6 in hepatitis C cirrhosis.
Interleukin-6 (IL-6) is a pleiotropic cytokine involved in numerous diseases but the correlation between liver fibrosis and IL-6 role is not clear. We studied IL-6 levels in 50 HCVAb+ patients with liver cirrhosis (grouped into A, B and C, Child classes) and in 27 healthy control subjects. IL-6 serum levels were significantly increased in the former (p < 0.005) suggesting that IL-6 stimulates and sustains liver fibrosis. In cirrhotic subjects, the rise in IL-6 serum levels is due to impaired hepatic clearance of this cytokine, while its production remains steady.
Malaguarnera
M
M
Department of Internal Medicine and Geriatrics University of Catania, Italy.
Trovato
B A
BA
Laurino
A
A
Di Fazio
I
I
Romeo
M A
MA
Motta
M
M
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D016174:Hepacivirus; D006526:Hepatitis C / Q000097:blood*; D006801:Humans; D015850:Interleukin-6 / Q000097:blood*; D008103:Liver Cirrhosis / Q000097:blood* / Q000821:virology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged
D015850:Interleukin-6