High interleukin-6 and tumor necrosis factor-alpha serum levels in hepatitis C infection associated or not with mixed cryoglobulinemia

Clin Rheumatol. 2009 Oct;28(10):1179-85. doi: 10.1007/s10067-009-1218-8. Epub 2009 Jun 20.

Abstract

The objective of this study is to evaluate serum levels of interleukin-6 (IL-6) and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-a) in a series of patients with hepatitis C virus (HCV)-related mixed cryoglobulinemia (HCV-MC) and to correlate these parameters with the clinical features of the disease. Serum IL-6 and TNF-a were assayed in 61 patients with HCV-MC, in 61 sex- and age-matched patients with HCV chronic hepatitis without cryoglobulinemia (HCV+), and in 61 sex- and age-matched healthy controls. HCV-MC patients showed significantly higher mean IL-6 levels than controls (p=0.005) or HCV+ patients (p = 0.02). Moreover, IL-6 was increased in cryoglobulinemic patients with active vasculitis, even if the statistical significance was not reached (p=0.056). Serum TNF-a levels were significantly higher in HCV-MC than in HCV+ or in controls (p<0.01). The study demonstrates high IL-6 and TNF-a serum levels in HCV-MC patients; moreover, IL-6 levels tended to be higher in HCV-MC patients in presence of active vasculitis.

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Biomarkers / blood
  • Case-Control Studies
  • Cryoglobulinemia / blood*
  • Cryoglobulinemia / complications*
  • Cryoglobulinemia / diagnosis
  • Female
  • Hepatitis C / blood*
  • Hepatitis C / complications*
  • Hepatitis C / diagnosis
  • Humans
  • Interleukin-6 / blood*
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Prognosis
  • Severity of Illness Index
  • Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / blood*

Substances

  • Biomarkers
  • Interleukin-6
  • Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha