[Soluble interleukin-2 and tumor necrosis factor receptor in liver cirrhosis. Relationship with clinical severity and prognosis].
OBJECTIVE
The mechanism responsible for the beginning and progression of hepatic injury in liver cirrhosis of viral and alcoholic etiology are unknown currently. However, there are abnormalities in the immune system which may be implied in the pathogenesis.


METHODS
The concentrations of the soluble receptor of tumor necrosis factor (sTNF-R55) and the soluble receptor of interleukin-2 (sIL-2R) in 49 cirrhotic patients were determined by enzyme-linked inmunoassay. Patients were grouped according to the etiology (33 alcoholic and 16 viral) and prognosis (Child-Pugh classification) and they were compared with the values obtained in 26 healthy non-drinkers who made up the control group.


RESULTS
The concentrations of sTNF-R55 and sIL-2R were significantly higher in both groups of patients when compared with controls. We found significant differences in sTNF-R55 concentrations in viral and alcoholic but not in sIL-2R concentrations. There was a positive correlation between the concentrations of both receptors and the degrees of Child-Pugh classification, as well as with albumin, total bilirubin and alkaline phosphatase (all of them parameters related to the severity and prognosis of liver cirrhosis).


CONCLUSIONS
The serum concentrations of soluble receptors of tumor necrosis factor and interleukin-2 correlate with the prognosis of liver cirrhosis independently of its etiology. This fact may reflect the stimulation of T lymphocytes, monocytes and macrophages, in liver cirrhosis.
García Ruiz
Pablo
P
Servicio de Medicina Interna A, Hospital Universitario San Cecilio, Granada, España.
Canora Lebrato
Jesús
J
Díez Ruiz
Antonio
A
Fuchs
Dietmar
D
Wachter
Helmut
H
D000328:Adult; D006801:Humans; D008103:Liver Cirrhosis / Q000097:blood* / Q000503:physiopathology; D008297:Male; D011379:Prognosis; D015375:Receptors, Interleukin-2 / Q000097:blood*; D018124:Receptors, Tumor Necrosis Factor / Q000097:blood*; D012720:Severity of Illness Index
D015375:Receptors, Interleukin-2; D018124:Receptors, Tumor Necrosis Factor