Abstract:

Objective
To study the dynamic changes of the levels of Th1/Th2 cytokines in  serum of the patients with chronic hepatitis B(CHB) treated with adefovir dipivoxil,　and  explore  the immune response mechanism of adefovir dipivoxil against hepatitis B virus (HBV). Methods 22 CHB patients were enrolled and given adefovir dipivoxil 10 mg?d-1.The cytokine level，HBV-DNA level and liver function were assessed by three-color flow cytometry before treatment  and 12,24 weeks after treatment.Results  After treatment of adefovir dipivoxil,the average levels of the cytokines secreted by Th1 and Th2 were higher than before trentment (P<0.05).Before treatment，the level of TNF secreted by Th1 was significantly higher than those of  IL-4,IL-6,and  IL-10 secreted by Th2 (P<0.05).12 and 24 weeks after treatment,the levels of the cytokines secreted by Th1 were still higher than those of  the cytokines secreted by Th2，but there was no significant difference (P>0.05).12 weeks after treatment,compared with  control group,the levels of cytokines secreted by Th1/Th2 had no significant change; 24 weeks after treatment,the levels of IFN,IL-4 and IL-6 were higher than those in control group (P<0.05).Conclusion Adefovir dipivoxil is effective in inhibiting HBV replication,promoting the immunologic mechanism of the body.Adefovir dipivoxil can break down the immune tolerance and help to recover T cell function.

Key words: chronic hepatitis B;adefovir dipivoxil；Th1/Th2；flow cytometry
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