Cytokines. The Missing Shackle in Chronic Hepatitis C Development

Abstract

The immune mechanisms involved in chronic hepatitis C (CHC) development are still unclear, but pro-inflammatory cytokines definitely have an important role in the development of hepatic lesions and reparations. The aim of our retrospective study was to analyze TNF-α, Il-6, soluble receptors sTNFR-2 and sIL-6R in a cohort of 80 patients diagnosed with CHC and compared to a group of 14 healthy subjects. There were registered higher levels of cytokines in patients with CHC compared to controls. Cytokine receptors have a greater diagnostic power. Il-6 and its soluble receptor have a high predictive value for viral induced cirrhosis. The associations between TNF-α and IL-6 suggest a strong interrelationship in disease development.