[Immune parameters in patients with chronic hepatitis C and with various histologic changes].

Levels of cytokines (IL-1, IL-2, IL-4, IL-6, TNF) were studied in 22 patients with chronic hepatitis C (CHC) under different value of histological activity index (HAI). Cytokines were measured in peripheral blood by enzyme immunoassay using kits produced by Proteinovy Kontur (St-Petersburg). Morphological examination of hepatic biopsies was made with estimation of HAI by R. Knodell and fibrosis degree by V. Desmet. CHC patients with a high HAI were found to have higher levels of gamma-globulines and gamma-GTP. No significant correlation was revealed between HAI and content of transaminases. CHC patients with definite inflammatory infiltration of the portal tracts, intralobular degeneration, hepatic necrosis had higher indices of proinflammatory mediators of immune response IL-1, IL-2, IL-6 and TNF-alpha. In severe hepatic fibrosis there were higher values of IL-1, IL-2, IL-6. IL-4 was higher in patients with weak inflammatory infiltration, intralobular degeneration, lobular necrosis, mild fibros. The latter was associated with high interferon-alpha. Thus, serum cytokines concentrations and morphological changes in the liver correlate.