SERUM LEVELS OF CYTOKINES IN EGYPTIAN PATIENTS WITH CHRONIC LIVER DISEASE

Abstract

From this study, it was concluded thai serum levels of IL-IIl, IL-2, IL-6 and TNF-a were increased in patients with chronic liver disease compared to the healthy control indicating that these cytokines may he involved in the pathogenesis as well as the outcome of v1ral infection. The increased serum levels of the previous cytokines did not depend (m the etiology of the underlying liver disease, ALT levels or on the severity of liver d1sease.

Interferon therapy did not affect the serum levels of IL-IIl, IL-2, IL- 6 and TNF-a however, further studies on larger scale is recommended before reaching such conclusion.

Large scale studies are recommended to assess the role of IL-lll, IL- 2, IL-6 and TNF-a in the pathogenesis of chronic liver disease. Further studies to clarify the role of other immunomodulatory cytokines (JL-4, IL-10, IL-12 and IFN--y) in the pathogenesis of CLD including chronic HCV infection. Further studies are required to assess Th 1 and Th2 on quantitative and qualitative basis in chronic HCV infection. Purther studies to assess the role of cytokines in acute HBV and HCV. More studies to assess soluble IL-2 receptor (siL-2R) in serum which may be used as an indicator for disease activity in chronic HCV. Study of cytokine levels in schistosoma! liver fibrosis on a large scale is recommended. . • More studies to assess the effect of IFN therapy on the pre and post • treat ent leve!s of IL-IIl, IL-2, IL-6 and TNF-a in an attempt to predict the patients response. Further studies to assess the localization of cytokines in liver tissue in chronic HCV. .