Serum Th1/Th2 cytokine levels and their clinical significance in patients with alcoholic liver cirrhosis

ObjectiveTo investigate the relationship of serum Th1/Th2 cytokine levels with liver function and their clinical significance in patients with alcoholic liver cirrhosis (ALC). MethodsThirty-four ALC patients, 13 patients with viral liver cirrhosis (VLC), and 17 healthy controls were included in the study. Serum levels of Th1 cytokines (tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, interferon (IFN)-γ, and interleukin (IL)-12) and Th2 cytokines (IL-10, IL-4, IL-6, and IL-13) were measured by cytometric bead array, and their correlations with Child-Pugh classification, model of end-stage liver disease (MELD) score, and biochemical parameters of liver function were analyzed. Comparison between multiple groups was made by Kruskal-Wallis H test, and comparison between two groups was made by Mann-Whitney U test. Correlation analysis was performed by Spearman rank test. ResultsThe Th1 (TNF-α and IFN-γ)/Th2 (IL-10, IL-4, and IL-13) cytokine levels in ALC group were significantly lower than those in healthy control group (P＜0.05), and these indices decreased nonsignificantly as the Child-Pugh class increased. Compared with VLC patients, ALC patients had significantly increased Th1/Th2 cytokine levels except IL-4 level (P＜0.05). In ALC patients, TNF-α, IL-10, and IL-13 levels were positively correlated with prothrombin time activity (P＜0.05) but negatively correlated with total bilirubin and MELD score (P＜0.05); especially, the levels of IL-10, IL-13, IL-4, TNF-α, and IFN-γ were negatively correlated with daily alcohol consumption (P＜0.05). ConclusionThe expression of Th1/Th2 cytokines is significantly reduced in ALC patients and is correlated with alcohol intake and liver function damage. Monitoring serum Th1/Th2 cytokine levels in ALC patients is helpful for clinical treatment and prognostic evaluation.