@Article{,
AUTHOR = {Yih-Hsin Chang, Chien-Ning Huang, Ming-Yuh Shiau},
TITLE = {The C-174G promoter polymorphism of the <i>interleukin-6 (IL-6)</i> gene that affects insulin sensitivity in Caucasians is not involved in the pathogenesis of Taiwanese type 2 diabetes mellitus},
JOURNAL = {European Cytokine Network},
VOLUME = {15},
YEAR = {2004},
NUMBER = {2},
PAGES = {112--116},
URL = {http://www.techscience.com/ECN/v15n2/66389},
ISSN = {1952-4005},
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.},
DOI = {}
}