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

Objective To investigate the relationship of serum Th1 /Th2 cytokine levels with liver function and their clinical significance in patients with alcoholic liver cirrhosis (ALC) . Methods Thirty- four ALC patients, 13 patients with viral liver cirrhosis ( VLC) , and 17healthy 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. Results The Th1 ( TNFα and IFNγ) /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, TNFα, 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, TNFα, and IFNγ were negatively correlated with daily alcohol consumption (P < 0. 05) . Conclusion The 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.