Cytokines in primary biliary cirrhosis (diagnostic and prognostic implications)

Aim. To study concentrations of serum pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines (CK), CK correlations with clinicobiochemical activity, diagnostic and prognostic implications in primary biliary cirrhosis (PBC). Material and methods. Enzyme immunoassay has been used to study content of IL-1beta, IL-4, IL-6, IL-8, TNF-alpha, INF-gamma in peripheral blood of 96 women aged 26 to 82 years (mean age 56.2+/-12.6 years) with PBC (kits "Protein Contour", "Cytokine", St-Petersburg). The control group consisted of 20 healthy women matched by age. Results. PBC is associated with changes in serum CK content correlating with the disease activity and stage. Elevated levels of proinflammatory IL-6, TNF-alpha, INF-gamma and anti-inflammatory IL-4. Conclusion. Definition of the cytokine spectrum in PBC has made a prognostic significance as it allows Judging about the disease activity, stage and prognosis.