Serum TNF-α, IL-1β, and IL-6 levels in chronic HBV-infected patients.

BACKGROUND The objective of the study was to evaluate the serum levels of tumour necrosis factor (TNF)-α, interleukin (IL)-1β and IL-6 in chronic HBV-infected patients. METHODS The present study was a single centre, prospective and randomised controlled trial. Twenty healthy volunteers and thirty HBeAg-negative patients with planned liver biopsy and treatment-naive diagnosed with chronic hepatitis B (CHB) were included in the study. TNF-α, IL-1β and IL-6 levels were measured in the serum of CHB patient and control groups using an ELISA. Results were compared statistically using a Mann-Whitney U test. RESULTS The mean age of the CHB group (20 men, 10 women) and the control group (10 men, 10 women) was 33.3 ± 9.7 (17-55) and 26.1 ± 12.3 (16-57), respectively. When the two groups were compared with the Mann-Whitney U-test, TNF-α and IL-6 levels were found to be significantly higher in the CHB group compared to the control group (P = .003, P < .0001, respectively). Although IL-1β levels were not statistically significant, they were higher in the CHB group compared to the controls (P = .07). CONCLUSIONS The results of our study showed that serum levels of TNF-α and IL-6 are increased in CHB patients.