title: Clinical observation of serum IL-18, IL-10 and sIL-2R levels in patients with chronic hepatitis C pre- and post antiviral treatment.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To discuss the roles of serum interleukin-18 (IL-18), interleukin-10 (IL-10) and soluble interleukin-2R (sIL-2R) in the pathogenesis of chronic hepatitis C and to observe the effects of interferon (IFN) on the above- mentioned serum cytokines.
  
  
  METHODS
  The levels of above- mentioned cytokines were detected in 10 healthy individuals, 24 asymptomatic hepatitis virus C (HCV) carriers and 27 patients with chronic hepatitis C (before and after IFN treatment) using enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).
  
  
  RESULTS
  The levels of the cytokines in patients with chronic hepatitis C are higher than in healthy people (P < 0.05) and in asymptomatic HCV carriers (P < 0.05). The values of the cytokines show a significant positive correlation to ALT (P < 0.05). Levels of tested cytokines decreased observably after IFN treatment (P < 0.05). The grades of the serum levels for sIL-2R and IL-10 before IFN treatment (from high to low) were categorized accordingly: non-response group > partial- response group > complete- response group (P < 0.05).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The tested cytokines co-participate in the pathogenesis of chronic hepatitis C, and can be used to evaluate the effect of IFN on the immune state of organisms. Furthermore, sIL-2R and IL-10 are important for predicting the anti-viral efficacy of IFN.
authors.affiliation: The Immunological Department, Institute of Infectious Diseases of the First Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang University, School of Medicine, Hangzhou 310003, China. jia-hy@sohu.com
authors.forename: Hongyu
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Jia
authors.forename: Jie
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Du
authors.forename: Sihe
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Zhu
authors.forename: Yingji
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Ma
authors.forename: Huafeng
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Cai
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000998:Antiviral Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005260:Female; D019698:Hepatitis C, Chronic / Q000097:blood / Q000188:drug therapy*; D006801:Humans; D000077190:Interferon alpha-2; D016898:Interferon-alpha / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D016753:Interleukin-10 / Q000097:blood*; D020382:Interleukin-18 / Q000097:blood*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015375:Receptors, Interleukin-2 / Q000097:blood*; D011994:Recombinant Proteins
chemical_list: D000998:Antiviral Agents; D000077190:Interferon alpha-2; D016898:Interferon-alpha; D020382:Interleukin-18; D015375:Receptors, Interleukin-2; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D016753:Interleukin-10