[T-cell and mediators of immune response in patients with acute hepatitis C treated with combined antiviral therapy].

ABSTRACT

Study of cytokines spectrum in 32 patients with acute hepatitis C (AHC) treated with combined antiviral therapy (CAT) was performed. 30 patients with acute HCV-infection treated with basic treatment were followed also and formed control group. Levels of mediators of immune response in sera were measured by ELISA. Significant decrease of IL-1beta, TNF-alpha, CD8, and CD20 levels compared with control group was detected in patients with AHC treated with CAT. This could be explained by antifibrotic action of (lFN-alpha) and ribavirin which is determined by suppression of hepatic stellar cells activity. After completing of CAT course, increase of IL-2, IFN-alpha, IFN-gamma, CD4, and CD16 levels as well as increase of immunoregulatory coefficient compared with values before treatment was observed as a result of appropriate biological mechanisms of interaction between antiviral drugs and human organism. Apart from antiviral action of CAT, other immunoregulatory effects of such treatment were determined. Significant increase of IL-2, IFN-gamma, and IFN-alpha levels in patients with stable virological response to 2nd week of CAT characterized high effector potential of Th1-lymphocytes that promoted suppression of active viral replication, virus elimination and was an early criterion of aniviral treatment effectiveness.