IL-4, IL-12 and TNF-a Cytokines Productivity in Chronic Hepatitis C Infected Patients Treated with Bee Stings
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- Category: Vol. 78, December 2010
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IL-4, IL-12 and TNF-a Cytokines Productivity in Chronic Hepatitis C Infected Patients Treated with Bee Stings,MOHAMAD N. EL-BASSIONY, FADIA M. ATTIA, HOSSAM M. EL-BAHAAE and MAGDA I. MOHAMAD
Abstract
Background: Bee venom (BV) has been traditionally used in oriental medicine to relieve pain and to treat chronic inflammatory diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis. In Egypt, viral hepatitis B and C are endemic with high prevalence rate.
Aim: To explore the effect of BV by stings on immuno-modulation by describing the pattern of some cytokines productivity in chronic hepatitis C (HCV) infected patients.
Methods: Forty HCV patients were included in the study, they were classified into 3 groups; patients treated with bee stings (n=28), patients treated with interferon (n=5) and patients treated with conventional liver support drugs and bee stings (n=7). Bee stinging program was carried out for 9 months according to M. Nagib program. Interleukin-4 (IL-4), Interleukin-12 (IL-12) and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-a) levels were measured by enzyme linked immunosor-bent assay (ELISA). The quantitative HCV RNA was conduct-ed by reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Liver function and hematological assessment were carried out. All measurements were done before, after 3 months, 6 months and 9 months of bee stinging program.
Results: There was gradual increase in IL4 and decrease in IL12 and TNF-a in all groups. There was significant difference in IL4 and TNF-a level through the sessions of treatment in patients treated with bee stings and patients treated with bee stings and liver support drugs. In patients treated with Interferon, there was no significant difference in IL-4, IL-12 or TNF-a levels through the sessions of treatment. Liver enzymes decreased in patients treated with bee stings and liver support drugs.
Conclusion: Bee stings have associated with increased IL4 level, decreased level of TNF-a and improved some parameters in liver functions.