The variety of sICAM-1 and sE-selectin levels in patients with chronic hepatitis C during IFN-α 2b treatment

Objective To investigate the varirty of sICAM-1 and sE-selectin levels in patients with chronic hepatitis(CHC) and to study their roles in judge of response to IFN-α 2b treatment. Methods The levels of sICAM-1 and sE-selectin were measured in 32 cases of CHC before and after treatment of IFN-α 2b by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(SLISA), serum ALT activity was detected by Auto-chemistry Analysis Unit. Results The levels of sICAM-1 and sE-selectin in CHC patients were significantly higher than those in normal controls( P 0 01), showing close positive correlation with serum ALT activity( r =0 891 4, r =0 794 6, respectively). In CHC patients responding to the IFN-α 2b treatment, levels of sICAM-1 and sE-selectin before treatment were higher than those in non-responders( P 0 01). Levels of sICAM-1 and sE-selectin markedly decreased in responsive patients after treatment in 3,6 and 12 months respectively( P 0 001), while no obvious change were observed in patients with no response( P 0 05). Conclusion The measurement of sICAM-1 and sE-selectin could be used to monitor the conditions of CHC and predict the effects to the IFN-α 2b treatment.