Effect of different therapeutic regimens on serum interleukin-21 levels in patients with chronic hepatitis B.
- Author:
Min ZOU
1
;
Minmin LI
;
Xiaojuan LI
;
Yuanping ZHOU
;
Shuwen LIU
Author Information
- Publication Type:Journal Article
- MeSH: Adult; Female; Hepatitis B e Antigens; blood; Hepatitis B, Chronic; blood; drug therapy; Humans; Interferons; therapeutic use; Interleukins; blood; Male; Nucleosides; therapeutic use
- From: Journal of Southern Medical University 2012;32(9):1284-1286
- CountryChina
- Language:Chinese
-
Abstract:
OBJECTIVETo detect serum interleukin-21 (IL-21) levels in patients with chronic hepatitis B receiving different therapeutic regimens.
METHODSA total of 198 patients with inactive chronic hepatitis B were divided into 3 groups according to the therapeutic regimens, namely interferon (IFN)-treated group (IFN group, n∓38), nucleoside analogue-treated group (NA group, n∓72) and untreated group (control group, n∓88). IL-21 and serum hepatitis B virus (HBV) markers were detected in these patients using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), and the liver function indices were measured with an auto-biochemical analyzer.
RESULTSThe serum IL-21 levels in Con and IFN groups were significantly higher than those in NA group (102.29∓14.03, 123.01∓38.26, and 48.10∓7.06 pg/ml, respectively, P<0.05). When all the patients were regrouped according to the status of HBeAg, serum IL-21 level was 114.83∓19.88 pg/ml in HBeAg-negative group (n∓105), significantly higher than that of 61.53∓6.61 pg/ml in HBeAg-positive group (n∓93) (P<0.05). Bivariate correlation analysis showed no significant correlations between IL-21 and liver function indices.
CONCLUSIONThe immunomodulator IFN might be capable of increasing serum IL-21 levels, while nucleoside analogues can decrease IL-21 level in patients with chronic hepatitis B. HBeAg-negative patients have a significantly higher serum IL-21 level, suggesting that the expression of HBeAg might result in IL-21 depression.
