Objective: To observe the variation of soluble interleukin-6 receptor (sIL-6R) and soluble interleukin-6 receptor beta strands (sgp130) in patients with chronic hepatopath.
Methods: We examined sIL-6R and sgp130 level in 40 patients with chronic hepatitis (CH), 15 with cirrhosis following hepatitis, and 35 normal controls (NC) in serum by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) method.
Results: The content of sIL-6R and sgp130 in serum was higher in CH group (224.27 mug/L and 489.35 mug/L, respectively) than NC group (174.81 mug/L and 273.64 mug/L respectively). The two parameters above in patients with hepatocirrhosis were higher than those in patients with chronic hepatitis, and the content in order of quantity was severe>moderate>slight. There was significant difference among the three groups (P<0.05, P<0.01), and positive correlation between sIL-6R and sgp130 level (r=0.481, P<0.05), between sIL-6R, sgp130 level and total bilirubin level (r=0.417, r=0. 428, P<0.01). While sIL-6R, sgp130 was no significant correlation to ALT (r=0.173, r=0.182, P>0.05).
Conclusion: sIL-6R and sgp130 in serum are associated with the development of chronic hepatopath, and therefore can guide the assessment of prognosis.