Clinical observation of the roles of serum IL-18 and IL-10 levels in the pathogenesis of chronic hepatitis C

Objective To discuss the roles of serum interleukin-18(IL-18) and interleukin-10(IL-10) 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 IL-18 and IL-10 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) by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA).Results The levels of the IL-18 and IL-10 in patients with chronic hepatitis C were higher than that in healthy people(P(0.05)) and asymptomatic HCV carriers (P(0.05)).The values of the IL-18 and IL-10 showed a significant positive correlation to serum alanine transaminase(P(0.05)).Levels of IL-18 and IL-10 decreased obviously after IFN treatment(P(0.05)).The grades of the serum levels of IL-10 before IFN treatment(from high to low) were categorized accordingly: non-response group partial-response group complete response group.Conclusion The IL-18 and IL-10 co-participate in the pathogenesis of chronic hepatitis C,and can be used to evaluate the effect of IFN on the immune state of body.IL-10 is important for predicting the anti-viral efficacy of IFN.