COMPARISON OF CXCL-8 and IFN-γ PRODUCTION IN ACUTE AND CHRONIC STAGES OF LIVER DISEASE

Introduction and objective

Hepatitis C virus and alcoholism are the main causes of Chronic Liver Disease. (1) The increase of CXCL-8 has been correlated with mortality in alcoholic hepatitis (AH), while in Chronic Hepatitis C (CHC) with the disease severity. (2) The IFN-γ has an anti-viral and anti-fibrotic function. There are few comparative studies in patients regarding the production of these mediators and their possible implication in liver damage. The objective is to evaluate the concentrations of CXCL-8 and IFN-γ in the serum of AH, alcoholic cirrhosis (CiOH) and CHC patients.

Materials and methods

A multicenter cross-sectional study was carried out. Four participant groups were included: AH, CiOH, CHC and control group (CT). For the quantification of CXCL-8 and IFN-γ a multiple suspension array assay (Milliplex®-MERCK©) was used. Statistical analysis was performed by the SPSS V.22 software using Mann-Whitney-U-test. A p-value<0.05 was considered statistically significant. Values were expressed as median (Q3, Q1).

Results

110 individuals were included: AH (10), CiOH (25), CHC (25) and CT (50). In CXCL-8 quantification, significant differences were detected in AH vs. CT, CiOH vs. CT, CHC vs. CT, CiOH vs. AH and CHC vs. AH (p≤0.001). While in IFN-γ, the differences were detected in AH vs. CT, CiOH vs. CT, CHC vs. CT, CiOH vs. AH and CHC vs. AH (p≤0.001).

Discussion

Differences were detected in both molecules when comparing the chronic stages (CiOH and CHC) with the acute stage (HA), while no differences were found when comparing both chronic stages. The highest CXCL-8 concentration corresponds to AH, reflecting its importance in prognosis and mortality. (2) The increase of IFN-γ in CiOH and CHC may have a role in the regulation of fibrogenesis because of its anti-fibrotic function.

Conclusion

The deregulation of mediators such as IL-8 and IFN-γ promotes systemic inflammation in both acute and chronic stages, being greater in AH. This may indicate an association with the susceptibility to persistent respiratory and gastrointestinal diseases.

The authors declare that there is no conflict of interest.

This work was partially financed by CONACyT SALUD-2016-272579 (GRG) and PAPIIT- UNAM TA200515 (GRG).