Changes in the IL-18, IL-22, and T lymphocyte subset levels in patients with hepatitis B-related liver cirrhosis and their predictive values for hepatorenal syndrome.

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the changes in the interleukin (IL)-18, IL-22, and T lymphocyte subset levels in patients with hepatitis B-related liver cirrhosis and to determine their predictive values for hepatorenal syndrome (HRS).

METHODS

Clinical data of 70 healthy individuals (group A) and 84 patients with hepatitis B-related liver cirrhosis (group B) admitted to Hospital 989 of the PLA Joint Logistics Support Force were retrospectively collected. The serum levels of IL-18 and IL-22, concentrations of cluster of differentiation (CD)3, CD4, and CD8 cells, as well as the CD4/CD8 ratio in the peripheral blood T lymphocyte subsets were measured. Further, their predictive values for HRS were determined. Logistic regression analysis was employed to identify independent risk factors for HRS.

RESULTS

In group B, the posttreatment IL-18 and IL-22 levels and CD8 cell concentration significantly decreased after treatment, whereas the CD3 and CD4 cell concentrations and CD4/CD8 ratio increased. Notably, the serum IL-18 and IL-22 levels were higher in patients with HRS than in those without. Also, the CD3 and CD4 cell concentrations and CD4/CD8 ratio in the peripheral blood were lower in patients with HRS than in those without. The sensitivities of the serum IL-18 and IL-22 levels for predicting HRS were 90.32% and 80.65%, and the specificities were 71.70% and 77.36%, respectively. The sensitivities of CD3, CD4, and CD8 cell concentrations for predicting HRS were 77.42%, 90.32%, and 83.87%, and the specificity was 67.92%, 64.15%, and 52.83%, respectively. Moreover, the sensitivity and specificity of CD4/CD8 ratio for predicting HRS were 80.65% and 86.79%, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

IL-18, IL-22, and T lymphocyte subset levels may have significant implications in the progression of hepatitis B-related liver cirrhosis, and detecting these markers could aid in treatment, evaluation, and prediction of HRS in patients. Furthermore, IL-18 and IL-22 levels and the CD4/CD8 ratio were identified as independent risk factors for HRS.