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Article Type

Original Study

Abstract

Objectives The objectives of this study were to evaluate the role of interleukin-18 (IL-18) in liver cirrhosis caused by hepatitis C, and to determine the effect of the triple regimen treatment sofosbuvir, ribavirin, and interferon on its serum levels. Background IL-18 is a member of the IL-1 family. Recent studies have suggested that IL-18 plays a role in the pathogenesis of liver damage during acute and chronic hepatitis; furthermore, IL-18 may be involved in the development and progression of liver fibrosis. Patients and methods The present study was carried out on 27 hepatitis C patients and 15 age-matched and sex-matched healthy individuals. All patients were subjected to history taking, complete medical examination, and laboratory investigations for liver and kidney functions. Serum levels of IL-18 were measured by ELISA three times for each patient: the first one was measured before treatment initiation, the second after 1 week of treatment, and the third was measured after 3 months of treatment. Results The serum levels of IL-18 were highly elevated in hepatitis C patients compared with controls (P < 0.001). In addition, we found that serum IL-18 was significantly higher before initiation of treatment, decreased after 1 week of treatment, and it was markedly decreased after 3 months of treatment. Conclusion There is significant elevation in the serum levels of IL-18 in hepatitis C patients. IL-18 concentrations were reduced following a successful course of antiviral treatment.

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