Expressions and roles of three inflammatory cytokines in chronic hepatitis B patients with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease

Abstract

Objective To investigate the roles of cytokeratin 18 (CK18) M30 and M65, thymosin beta 4 (Tβ4) and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α in hepatic steatosis and development of inflammatory and fibrosis in chronic hepatitis B (CHB) patients with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). Methods A total of 46 CHB patients with NAFLD and 42 CHB patients were collected. Serum CK-18 M30, M65, Tβ4 and TNF-α levels were measured by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) in two groups. The associations between inflammatory factors levels and biochemical or pathological indicators were analyzed. The statistical analysis was conducted by t test and chi square test of two independent samples. The correlation analysis was performed by Pearson and Logistic regression analysis. Results The mean serum CK-18 M30 level in CHB with NAFLD group was (614.48±471.43) U/L, which was significantly higher than that in CHB group (374.50±231.04) U/L (t=2.988, P 0.05). In CHB with NAFLD patients, the CK-18 M30 level was positively correlated with alanine aminotransferase, triglyceride, fasting blood glucose, histology inflammation score, fibrosis score and steatosis (r=0.507, 0.456, 0.384, 0.551, 0.458 and 0.457, respectively, all P<0.01). Tβ4 level was negatively correlated with inflammation and fibrosis score (r=-0.371 and -0.308, respectively, P<0.05). TNF-α level was positively correlated with inflammation score and steatosis (r=0.570 and 0.441, respectively, P<0.01). CK-18 M30, Tβ4 and TNF-α were independent predictors of CHB combined with NAFLD, progressive inflammatory fibrosis and severe steatosis. Conclusions Serum CK-18 M30, Tβ4 and TNF-α levels are associated with hepatic steatosis, development of inflammation and fibrosis in CHB with NAFLD patients. Key words: Hepatitis B, chronic; Non alcoholic fatty liver disease; Cytokeratin 18; Thymosin beta4; Tumor necrosis factor-alpha