Interleukin-8 and Granulocyte-Macrophage Colony-Stimulating Factor Secretion in Hepatocellular Carcinoma and Viral Chronic Active Hepatitis

• DOI: 10.1006/clin.1995.1034
• Publication Date: 2002-10-06T20:18:03Z
• Authors: Abdulhamid Al-Wabel; Bandar Al-Knawy; Syed Raziuddin
• Keywords: Liver disease; Viral Hepatitis

Interleukin-8 (IL-8) and granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF) are important mediators of inflammation and immune response in human disease. To demonstrate their importance in pathophysiological processes in liver disease, we measured the circulating levels of IL-8 and GM-CSF in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and chronic active hepatitis (CAH). IL-8 and GM-CSF levels in serum samples were determined with highly specific and sensitive enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays. IL-8 levels were more elevated in serum samples of patients with HCC and CAH associated with hepatitis C virus infection than HCC and CAH associated with hepatitis B virus infection. However, in all patients with autoimmune CAH and in some patients with HCC and CAH, GM-CSF levels were elevated over the baseline levels measured in all of the normals, but this difference was not statistically significant for any group. We conclude that IL-8 and GM-CSF are increased in some patients with liver diseases, and as such they may play a significant role in host defense and disease.