Studies on the relationship between the level of cytokine and liver function in patients with clonorchiasis sinensis

Objective To explore the relationship between cytokine level and liver function among patients infected with Clonorchis sinensis. Methods47 patients were divided into three groups according to the degree of Child_Pugh liver function grade: 20 in group A (3-4 scores), 15 in group B (5-6 scores) and 12 in group C (7-9 scores). Interleukin 2 (IL_2), soluble IL_2 receptor (sIL_2R), interleukin 8 (IL_8) and tumor necrosis factor (TNF_α) were examined by radioimmunoassay (RIA) and enzyme_linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Automatic biochemical analyzer was employed for the determination of serum level of total bilirubin(TBL), albumin(ALB) and alanine aminotransferase(ALT). Data were analyzed with SAS statistic software. Results Serum levels of sIL_2R, IL_8 and TNF_α from patients were significantly higher than those obtained from healthy people (P0^05, P0^05, P0^01), whereas the IL_2 level was significantly lower than the former (P0^01). With the affected degree of the liver, serum levels of sIL_2R, IL_8 and TNF_α increased, in contrast to the decrease of IL_2 level. The differences were significant between groups A and C (P0^05). The level of sIL_2R and TNF_α directly correlated with that of TBL(r=0^331P0^05, r=0^518P0^01) and ALT(r=0^475P0^01, r=0^285P0^05) respectively, but inversely correlated with the level of ALB (r=-0^319P0^05, r=-0^665P0^01). Conclusion The infection of Clonorchis sinensis results in the reduction of cellular immune function of the patients. Certain relationship exists between serum cytokine level and liver function. Two cytokines, sIL_2R and TNF_α, are involved in the process of pathology.