Open Access

ARTICLE

Serum tumor growth factor-β1 levels in patients with cirrhosis, chronic hepatitis B and chronic hepatitis C

Cengiz Kirmaz¹, Ender Terzioglu², Omer Topalak³, Papatya Bayrak¹, Ozge Yilmaz⁴, Galip Ersoz⁵, Filiz Sebik⁶

1 Celal Bayar University, Medical Faculty, Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Immunology, Manisa, Turkey
2 Akdeniz University, Medical Faculty, Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Immunology and Rheumatology, Antalya, Turkey
3 Dokuz Eylul University, Medical Faculty, Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Gastroenterology, Izmir, Turkey
4 Celal Bayar University, Medical Faculty, Department of Pediatrics, Manisa, Turkey
5 Ege University, Medical Faculty, Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Gastroenterology, Izmir, Turkey
6 Ege University, Medical Faculty, Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Immunology, Izmir, Turkey

* Corresponding Author: Cengiz Kirmaz,

European Cytokine Network 2004, 15(2), 112-116.

Accepted 29 January 2004;

Abstract

Chronic liver disease and cirrhosis are two of the most important health problems according to current gastroenterology literature. Based on the recent developments in the field of immunology, advanced follow-up and treatment modalities have been introduced for these disorders. Immune defence against viral infections depends on effective cellular immune responses derived mainly from Th1-related cytokines. Th2 type immune responses can inhibit efficient immune function by secretion of several cytokines such as IL-10, TGF-β1. In this particular study, we determined the serum levels of TGF-β1, which plays a role in immune suppression and induction of tissue fibrosis. We evaluated the role of TGF-β1 in the pathogenesis of chronic liver disease and cirrhosis. Fourteen chronic hepatitis B (CHB), 12 chronic hepatitis C (CHC) patients and 21 cirrhotic patients were enrolled in the study. The control group consisted of ten healthy people. Serum TGF-β1 levels were higher in both cirrhosis and CHC group when compared to those in CHB and control groups (P < 0.05). Although serum TGF-β1 levels in the cirrhosis group were higher than that in the CHC group, the difference was not statistically significant. In conclusion, elevated TGF-β1 levels in patients with CHC and cirrhosis may have a role in the pathogenesis and chronicity of these diseases.

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Keywords

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