Short-term changes of serum IL-2 and IL-6 induced by interferon alpha-2b in patients with chronic hepatitis C.
BACKGROUND
The standard therapy of chronic hepatitis C with interferon alpha (IFN alpha) and ribavirin has established but limited efficacy. The prognostic factors of treatment are still under investigation. IL-2 and IL-6 are key cytokines involved in activation of B and T lymphocytes and thus in humoral and cellular responses; they are also deeply involved in generation and maintenance of inflammatory processes. The aim of the study was to evaluate the short-term influence of INF alpha-2b on serum IL-2 and IL-6 levels in sustained responders (SR) and non-responders (NR).


METHODS
Altogether 12 patients (7 males and 5 females) chronically infected with HCV (anti-HCV positive, HCV-RNA positive by PCR) were enrolled to the study. Patients were treated with IFN 3 MU tiw for 6 months and then they were followed for another 6 months. Five patients responded to the treatment (sustained responders-SR)-Group I, seven patients did not respond (non-responders-NR)-Group II. Serum concentrations of IL-2 and IL-6 were assessed by ELISA before ['0'] and at 1st ['1'], 2nd ['2'], 3rd ['3'], 6th ['4'] and 12th ['5'] hour after the first IFN injection.


CONCLUSIONS
Interferon alpha-2b induced short-term increase of serum IL-2 concentrations in SR but not in NR. Serum IL-6 level increased both in SR and NR but this effect was more pronounced and persisted longer in sustained responders.
Mazur
W
W
Department of Internal Medicine, Medical University of Silesia, St. Barbara's District Hospital, Plac Medyków 1, 41-200 Sosnowiec, Poland.
Mazurek
U
U
Jurzak
M
M
Wilczok
T
T
Gonciarz
M
M
Gonciarz
Z
Z
D000328:Adult; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D005260:Female; D019698:Hepatitis C, Chronic / Q000097:blood*; D006801:Humans; D000077190:Interferon alpha-2; D016898:Interferon-alpha / Q000494:pharmacology*; D007376:Interleukin-2 / Q000097:blood*; D015850:Interleukin-6 / Q000097:blood*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D013997:Time Factors
D000077190:Interferon alpha-2; D016898:Interferon-alpha; D007376:Interleukin-2; D015850:Interleukin-6; D011994:Recombinant Proteins