Hepatic syndromes and cytokine indices in patients with hepatic cirrhosis

Aim. To analyze the clinical manifestations of hepatic cirrhosis (HC) of different etiology and their correlation with proinflammatory cytokine level – interleukin-6 and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α).

Materials and methods. Fifty patients with viral hepatic cirrhosis (as a result of chronic hepatitis C), 20 patients with alcoholic HC, 16 persons with mixed etiology HC (viral and alcoholic) with the mean age 53 ± 13.01 years were examined. Hepatic cirrhosis was diagnosed using complex data of clinicolaboratory and instrumental studies. The levels of IL-6 and TNF-α were determined with the kits of “VectorBest” company (Russia, Novosibirsk) using the method of enzyme immunoassay and registration of results on photometer “Stat-Fax” 2100 (USA).

Results. No reliable differences in clinical manifestations and cytokine level in HC of different etiology were detected. The levels of cytokine concentration median significantly elevated as HC progressed. Interleukin-6 demonstrated moderate correlations with lethargy and hepatocellular insufficiency as a whole (Ki = 0.673 and Ki = 0.607, respectively).

Conclusions. Clinical syndromes of HC practically do not depend on etiology of disease. Increase in production of IL-6 and TNF-a demonstrates pathogenetic significance of proinflammatory cytokines in the lesion of the liver. IL-6 level correlates with the severity of liver lesion and, thus, objectifies clinical symptoms in HC patients, especially those based on patients’ complaints.