Serum determination of IL-1β and IL-1RA in patients with chronic liver diseases

Introduction and Objectives

This study aimed to evaluate serum concentration of IL-1β and IL-1RA in subjects with alcoholic liver disease (ALD), chronic hepatitis C (CHC) and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD).

Materials and methods

A cross-sectional and multicenter study was carried out, which included alcoholic subjects (OH), alcoholic cirrhosis (CiOH) and alcoholic hepatitis (HA); patients with CHC and NAFLD were compared against subjects without criteria for alcohol drinking habits (CT). IL-1β and IL-1RA were quantified by Multiplex-MERCK©. For statistical analysis SPSS V.22 were used, Mann-Whitney U, p<0.05; values expressed as mean ± standard error.

Results

The groups included were: 18 (OH), 25 (CiOH), 14 (HA), 55 (CHC), 22 (NAFLD) and 81 (CT). IL-1β results (pg/mL): 13.8±9.2, OH; 4.4±1.7, CiOH; 3.05±0.05, HA; 7.1±2.3, CHC; 5±2, NAFLD and 3.2±0.1, CT. With differences in HA vs. CHC. For IL-1RA (pg/mL) 83.5±30, OH; 100.4±53.5, CiOH; 85±38.3, HA; 74.4±2, CHC; 316±203, NAFLD and 13.02±4.4, CT. With differences in CHC and NAFLD vs. CT and CiOH vs. CHC.

Discussion

IL-1β was 2.3 times increased in HA/CHC, which highlights the effect on exacerbating the inflammatory response in acute over chronic alcohol damage; IL-1RA that inhibits the activities of IL-1β are increase may have protective effects on liver injury.

Conclusion

IL-1RA is a cytokine that limits inflammation in liver disease, especially in non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, alcoholic cirrhosis and chronic hepatitis C.

Funding

This work was partially financed by CONACyT SALUD-2016-272579 and PAPIIT- UNAM TA200515

Declaration of interest

The authors declare no potential conflicts of interest.