This study evaluates the usefulness of interleukins 1 alpha and 12 in predicting disease progression in diabetic HCV and HCV related liver diseases compared to non-diabetics. The study included 76 hepatitis C virus-infected patients [38 diabetics, 38 none (with, without cirrhosis)]. Serum levels of IL-1α and IL-12 were measured by ELISA. Serum levels of IL-1α and IL12 were higher in cirrhotic than non -cirrhotic patients and higher in the diabetic patients. Significant correlations were detected between IL-1α, prothrombin time (PT), and severity scores in cirrhotic patients. Levels of both cytokines correlated with the fasting plasma glucose levels. Stronger correlations were evident between IL-12, PT and total bilirubin than IL-1α in diabetics. In conclusion; IL-1α and IL-12 are good markers for monitoring liver disease progression in cirrhotic and diabetic HCV patients. Whereas IL-1α is a better marker in cirrhotic patients, IL-12 is somewhat superior to IL-1α in diabetic patients.
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