Objective To study the dynamic changes of soluble interleukin 2 recepter (sIL 2R) level and lymphocyte subsets over clinical course, the relationship between them and biochemical parameters of renal function, and to explore the role of the disturbance of celluar immune function in the pathogenesis of hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome (HFRS). Methods The level of sIL 2R in sera was detected by double antibody sandwich ELISA method. The percentages of lymphocyte subsets were measured by flow cytometry. Results The level of sIL 2R in patients with HFRS increased significantly in febrile phase, reached its peak in hypotensive and oliguric phase and then decreased gradually in diuretic phase but still higher than that of normal in convalescent phase with values being (463.06?157.02) pmol/ml, (636.85?270.36) pmol/ml, (287.75?118.74) pmol/ml and (191.75?55.60) pmol/ml in different stages, respectively ( P 0.05). The percentage of CD3 +,CD4 + cells decreased significantly while the percentage of CD3 +, CD8 + cells increased significantly, which resulted in the decrease or reverse of CD4 +/CD8 + ratio in febrile phase. These changes were most obvious in hypotensive and oliguric phase, returned gradually in diuretic phase, but still abnormal in convalescent phase ( P

OBJECTIVETo discuss the roles of serum interleukin-18 (IL-18), interleukin-10 (IL-10) and soluble interleukin-2R (sIL-2R) in the pathogenesis of chronic hepatitis C and to observe the effects of interferon (IFN) on the above- mentioned serum cytokines.

METHODSThe levels of above- mentioned cytokines 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) using enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).

RESULTSThe levels of the cytokines in patients with chronic hepatitis C are higher than in healthy people (P < 0.05) and in asymptomatic HCV carriers (P < 0.05). The values of the cytokines show a significant positive correlation to ALT (P < 0.05). Levels of tested cytokines decreased observably after IFN treatment (P < 0.05). The grades of the serum levels for sIL-2R and IL-10 before IFN treatment (from high to low) were categorized accordingly: non-response group > partial- response group > complete- response group (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONSThe tested cytokines co-participate in the pathogenesis of chronic hepatitis C, and can be used to evaluate the effect of IFN on the immune state of organisms. Furthermore, sIL-2R and IL-10 are important for predicting the anti-viral efficacy of IFN.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Antiviral Agents ; therapeutic use ; Female ; Hepatitis C, Chronic ; blood ; drug therapy ; Humans ; Interferon-alpha ; therapeutic use ; Interleukin-10 ; blood ; Interleukin-18 ; blood ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Receptors, Interleukin-2 ; blood ; Recombinant Proteins