OBJECTIVETo investigate the dynamic changes of Th1/Th2 type cytokines in peripheral blood of patients with hepatitis B e antigen-positive chronic hepatitis B treated with telbivudine (LDT).

METHODSThe levels of IL-2, IL-4, IL-6, IL-10, TNF alpha, IFN gamma in the blood cells of HBeAg positive chronic hepatitis B patients were measured at 0, 4, 8, 12, 24, 48 weeks after LDT treatment by fluorescence activated cell sorting (FACS), the levels and dynamic changes of Th1/Th2 type cytokines in groups of complete response, partial response, non-response, virologic breakthrough were compared.

RESULTSThe levels of Th1 type cytokines in complete response group were higher than those in groups of partial response, non-response and virologic breakthrough, however, the levels of Th2 type cytokines showed an opposite trend compared with Th1 type cytokines. There were no significant differences between each group. In complete response group, the levels of IL-2, TNF alpha and IFN gamma were higher than baseline 12 weeks after LDT treatment (P < 0.05). In partial response group the level of IFN gamma was higher than baseline 24 weeks after LDT treatment (P < 0.05). In non-response group, the levels of IL-6 and IL-10 were higher than baseline at 48 weeks after LDT treatment (P < 0.05). In virologic breakthrough group, the level of IL-4 was higher than baseline 24 weeks after LDT treatment (P < 0.05), while the level of IL-6 was higher than baseline 12 weeks after LDT treatment (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONSThe balance of Th1/Th2 type cytokines plays an important role in the outcome of patients with hepatitis B e antigen-positive chronic hepatitis B treated with LDT. The immune response of patients with chronic hepatitis B is improved to some extent after LDT therapy.