Objective To study the change in Th1/Th2 cytokines and its relationship with ALT, HBV DNA and HBeAg conversion in chronic hepatitis B (CHB) patients treated with telbivudine.Methods 64 HBeAg-positive CHB patients treated with telbivudine were included in the study.Th1cytokines (IL-2, IL-12) and Th2 cytokines (IL-4, IL-10) were measured by ELISA before treatment and at the 24th week after treatment.ALT and HBV DNA were evaluated at the same time.Results 86% of the patients showed normal ALT and 53% had undetectable serum HBVDNA level after 24 weeks of treatment.The HBeAg conversion rate was 23.4% at the 52nd week of treatment.The level of Th1 cytokines in the treatment group was higher and Th2 cytokines was lower than that of the control group.There was a significant difference between pre-treatment and post-treatment cytokine levels (p<0.05) .Serum HBV DNA and ALT levels were decreased dramatically with the antiviral therapy.Conclusion There is a significant correlation between serum cytokine level, ALT and HBV DNA in CHB patients treated with telbivudine.The balance between Th1/Th2 cytokines may contribute towards normal ALT, undetectable HBV DNA and HBeAg serum conversion.
DownLoad: