Non-invasive method for the evaluation of IL-6 and IL-10 levels in patients with chronic hepatitis C

With over 180 million people affected worldwide, hepatitis C is considered a global problem. In order to establish chronic infections, the virus interferes with cellular mechanisms coordinated by cytokines’ network. Chronic HCV infection is associated with oral manifestations including periodontal disease. The aim of this study was to evaluate the levels of IL-6 and IL-10 in gingival crevicular fluid (GCF) versus plasma, in patients with chronic hepatitis C, in order to estimate the potential of oral fluids as substitute of blood for the evaluation of immune responses in this disease. Material and methods. Sample-pairs consisted of blood and GCF harvested from 32 anti-HCV positive patients (age range 35-74 y.o) and from control group (10 subjects without HCV infection), which were tested for anti-HCV antibodies, HCV viral loads and IL-6 and IL-10 levels. The dental evaluation was based on CPITN criteria. Results. All investigated patients were anti-HCV positive in plasma and GCF and HCV RNA was detected in 20/32 sample pairs. Significant differences were observed for IL-10 in plasma versus GCF (p=0.0025), but not for IL-6 (p= 0.44). The expression of IL-10 in GCF displays a significant correlation with the CPITN index. Conclusions. Elevated GCF levels of IL10 correlated with higher CPITN index and viremia, accounting for usefulness of GCF as an alternative non-invasive source for IL-10 detection in HCV positive cases.