Association between plasma interleukin-18 levels and liver injury in chronic hepatitis C virus infection and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease
Vecchiet, J.; Falasca, K.; Cacciatore, P.; Zingariello, P.; Dalessandro, M.; Marinopiccoli, M.; D'Amico, E.; Palazzi, C.; Petrarca, C.; Conti, P.; Pizzigallo, E.; Guagnano, M.Teresa.
Annals of Clinical and Laboratory Science 35(4): 415-422
2005
ISSN/ISBN: 0091-7370 PMID: 16254258 Accession: 011785573
There is significant upregulation of interleukin-18 (IL-18) expression in viral infectious diseases and in some chronic hepatic diseases, especially (i) hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection, (ii) HCV infection with persistently normal ALT levels (PNAL), and (iii) non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). The aim of this study was a better understanding of the implications of plasma IL-18 levels in the above-mentioned liver diseases.