The effect of adefovir dipivoxil therapy on T helper cell cytokines and HBV DNA loads in patients with hepatitis B

Abstract:

ObjectiveTo explore the influence of adefovir dipivoxil (ADV) therapy on the cellular immunity by observing the levels of interferonγ(IFNγ), interleukin4 (IL4) and their relationship with HBV DNA loads in patients with HBeAgpositive chronic hepatitis B at different time before and after treatment. MethodsSera of 30 patients before ADV therapy and 16 weeks ,52 weeks and 132 weeks after ADV therapy respectively were collected in this study. There were 14 complete response cases(group A),16 incomplete response cases(group B). Sera of 10 healthy people were chosen as control group(group C). Levels of IFNγ and IL4 were detected with enzymelinked immunosorbent assay; HBV DNA loads were detected by ROCHE COBAS AMPLICOR HBV MONITOR, lower limit was 103 copy/mL.ResultsThe average IFNγ level in group A was significantly higher than that of group B（P<0.05）and C（P<0.05）, there was no significant difference between group B and C(P>0.05);The level of IL4 of group A decreased after treatment while group B didn’t. HBV DNA loads of all groups had no significant correlation with IFNγ and IL4 levels before treatment, but dropped obviously at 16th week after treatment; and the increased level of IFNγ in group A was significantly higher than that of group B(P<0.05); IL4 levels in group A decreased gradually, but didn’t decreased obviously in group B.ConclusionCellular immune response of patients with hepatitis B was resumed to some extent after ADV treatment. The resumption level was positively related with the decreased level of HBV DNA load.