Interferon gamma (IFN gamma) and interleukin 4, 10 and 12 (IL-4, -10, -12) production was measured in whole peripheral blood (WPB) and peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) of 10 chronic hepatitis C (CHC) patients. The level of IFN gamma in supernatants in mitogen-activated WPB was lower than in healthy donors. IL-10 served as a possible downregulative factor for IFN gamma, since its spontaneous IL-10 production was enhanced in CHC. Neutralization of IL-10 partly restored IFN gamma response in CHC patients. Recombinant IL-12 (rIL-12) also enhanced IFN gamma of CHC patients, but IL-12 production was decreased in CHC. Thus, IFN gamma production deficiency in CHC patients is secondary to blockage by high levels of IL-10-impaired IL-12 production.

Background Studies on a new coronavirus disease (COVID-19) show the elevation of liver enzymes and liver fibrosis index (FIB-4) independently on pre-existing liver diseases. It points to increased liver fibrogenesis during acute COVID-19 with possible long-term consequences. This study aimed to assess liver fibrosis in COVID-19 patients by serum hyaluronic acid (HA) and FIB-4. Methods The study included the acute COVID-19 group (66 patients, 50% females, mean age 58.3 ± 14.6), the post-COVID group (58 patients in 3–6 months after the recovery, 47% females, mean age 41.2 ± 13.4), and a control group (17 people, 47% females, mean age 42.8 ± 11.0). Ultrasound elastography was performed in the post-COVID and control groups. Results Sixty-five percent of the acute COVID-19 group had increased FIB-4 (> 1.45), and 38% of patients had FIB-4 ≥ 3.25. After matching by demographics, 52% of acute COVID-19 and 5% of the post-COVID group had FIB-4 > 1.45, and 29% and 2% of patients had FIB-4 ≥ 3.25, respectively. Increased serum HA (≥ 75 ng/ml) was observed in 54% of the acute COVID-19 and 15% of the post-COVID group. In the acute COVID-19 group, HA positively correlated with FIB-4, AST, ALT, LDH, IL-6, and ferritin and negatively with blood oxygen saturation. In the post-COVID group, HA did not correlate with FIB-4, but it was positively associated with higher liver stiffness and ALT. Conclusion More than half of acute COVID-19 patients had increased serum HA and FIB-4 related to liver function tests, inflammatory markers, and blood oxygen saturation. It provides evidence for the induction of liver fibrosis by multiple factors during acute COVID-19. Findings also indicate possible liver fibrosis in about 5% of the post-COVID group.

Ageing and production of the cytokines in Chernobyl clean-up workers from Latvia Chronic low-grade inflammation with subsequent impairment of immune system function promotes the development of age-related diseases, such as cancers, degenerative and infection diseases. It is not yet clear, if exposure to ionising radiation accelerates the aging process. The aim of the present work was to estimate the production of several cytokines by peripheral blood cells of Latvia's Chernobyl clean-up workers depending on age. ELISA was employed to determine the plasma level of sIL-1β and sIL-6 as well as level of IL-4 and TNF-α spontaneous and 24h and 96h after in vitro stimulation of peripheral blood mononuclear cell cultures by lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and phytohemagglutinin (PHA) mitogens were determined in 40 Chernobyl clean-up workers 17 years after their work in Chernobyl and in 42 blood-donors without a history of occupational radiation exposure. The ability of peripheral blood leukocytes (PBL) to produce interferons (IFNs) was determined in 73 Chernobyl clean-up workers 15 years after the work in Chernobyl and in age-matched 63 blood-donors. IFNs were tested in whole blood cultures by standard virus cytopathic inhibition micromethod after their in vitro induction by Newcastle disease virus, phytohemagglutinin or double-stranded RNA. Individuals were divided into three age groups: age < 40, age 40-49 and age > 50. The ability of PBL to produce IFN was significantly decreased in all Chernobyl clean-up worker age groups in comparison with blood-donors (control groups). The incidence of good ability to produce IFN gradually decreased with age in the control group, but increased with age in aged-matched Chernobyl clean-up workers groups. The production TNF-α and IL-4 by peripheral blood mononuclear cells as well as sIL-1β level in plasma showed no significant differences between all the examined age groups. The sIL-6 level was gradually increased with age in Chernobyl clean-up workers. Our results showed that the concentration of pro-inflammation cytokine sIL-6 in peripheral blood plasma, as well as the ability of PBL to produce IFNs, in Chernobyl clean-up workers from Latvia is age dependent.

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