Role of tumor necrosis factor-α, interleukin-1β, interleukin-6 in liver inflammation in chronic hepatitis B and chronic hepatitis C

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Aims: Cytokines play important roles in the immunopathogenesis of chronic hepatitis B (CHB)and chronic hepatitis C (CHC) infections. The aim of this study was to examine the changes inserum levels of interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-6 and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α cytokines in patientswith CHB and CHC, and the relationship of these cytokines with chronic inflammation, diseaseprogression and fibrosis.Methods: We prospectively enrolled patients with CHB and CHC and control subjects fromAugust 2016 to August 2018. Liver biopsy samples were obtained as a part of the routine care.Serum levels of IL-6, IL-1β, and TNF-α were determined by the enzyme-linked immunosorbentassay method.Results: The final sample included 90 patients with CHB (age, mean±SD: 42.6±11.8) 40 patientswith CHC (age, mean±SD: 45.1±13.6) and 50 controls (age, mean±SD: 39±15.0). IL-1β, TNF-α andIL-6 serum levels were statistically significantly higher in patients with CHB and CHC than in thecontrol group [IL-1β (ng/mL): 133.7±37.0, 125.92±12.7, 85.7±9.8; TNF-α (ng/mL): 307.9±68.9,286.0±43.2, 72.0±14.01; IL-6 (ng/mL): 50.6±10.1, 55.07±9.79, 8.85±7.07, respectively, p=0.001].TNF-α level was statistically significantly higher in patients with significant fibrosis (320.5±36.9)than those with mild fibrosis (257.3±21.6) (p=0.04). Alpha-fetoprotein level was statisticallysignificantly higher in CHC patients than CHB and control groups.Conclusions: This study showed increased levels of IL-1β, IL-6 and TNF-α in CHB and CHCpatients. TNF-α level further increased in patients with documented liver fibrosis.