Assessment of IL-17, IL-18, and glutathione levels in some of Iraqi patients with Hepatitis B virus | ||||
| Microbes and Infectious Diseases | ||||
| Articles in Press, Accepted Manuscript, Available Online from 17 June 2025 | ||||
| Document Type: Original Article | ||||
| DOI: 10.21608/mid.2025.376303.2706 | ||||
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| Authors | ||||
Nassif Nada Al-Jibory  1; Mohanad Hasan Al-Izzi2
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| 1Department of Biology, College of Science, University of Tikrit | ||||
| 2Department of Biology, College of Science, University of Tikrit | ||||
| Abstract | ||||
| Background: Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection is a global health concern, leading to chronic liver disease, cirrhosis, and hepatocellular carcinoma. Understanding the immune-inflammatory and oxidative stress-related mechanisms in HBV pathogenesis is essential for identifying potential biomarkers. This study evaluates serum levels of interleukin-17 (IL-17), interleukin-18 (IL-18), and glutathione (GSH) in Iraqi patients with HBV to explore their roles in disease progression. Method: This study included 90 participants: 60 HBV patients (30 with HBV only and 30 with HBV and chronic kidney disease on hemodialysis) and 30 healthy controls. Serum IL-17 and IL-18 levels were measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), while GSH concentrations were assessed via a colorimetric assay. Liver function tests, including ALT, AST, ALP, and total bilirubin, were also performed. Statistical analysis was conducted using SPSS version 25.0, with significance set at p < 0.05. Results: HBV patients showed significantly elevated IL-17 (252.01 ± 60.4 pg/mL) and IL-18 (182.31 ± 45.7 pg/mL) levels compared to controls (119.56 ± 35.2 pg/mL and 74.68 ± 20.9 pg/mL, respectively; p < 0.001). GSH levels were significantly lower in HBV patients (19.24 ± 5.6 μM) than in controls (41.38 ± 10.2 μM, p < 0.001). These results indicate a heightened inflammatory response and oxidative stress in HBV patients. Conclusions: Elevated IL-17 and IL-18 alongside reduced GSH indicate immune activation and oxidative stress involvement in HBV progression, suggesting these biomarkers may serve as indicators of severity and therapeutic targets, warranting further research for clinical validation. | ||||
| Keywords | ||||
| Hepatitis B virus; IL-17 and18; Glutathione; Liver fibrosis; Oxidative stress | ||||
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