Scheme 8-Isoprostane and Interleukin-8 Levels in Patients with Primary Biliary Cholangitis

Abstract

Primary biliary cholangitis (PBC) is a slowly progressive cholestatic autoimmune liver disease which leads to fibrosis, cirrhosis, and liver failure. Oxidative stress seems to play an important role in the pathogenesis of chronic liver diseases. The serum level of 8-isoprostane is a marker of oxidative stress in vivo. Oxidative stress causes the production of interleukin 8 (IL-8), which belongs to pro-inflammatory cytokines. The aim of the study was to determine whether the degree of lipid peroxidation determined by measuring the serum level of 8-isoprostane and the elevated concentration of IL-8 influences the progression of PBC. In the study, 72 PBC patients, 15 pathological controls (patients with other autoimmune liver diseases), and 15 healthy blood donors were enrolled. Serum levels of IL-8 and 8-isoprostane in PBC patients were significantly higher compared with the control groups: 91.1 ± 20.1 vs. 4.8 ± 0.6 pg/mL, p = 0.0077; 238.9 ± 226.9 pg/mL vs. 12.3 ± 11.9 pg/mL, p < 0.001, respectively. Serum 8-isoprostane values were positively correlated with a higher concentration of IL-8, bilirubin concentration, and severe liver fibrosis. A correlation between the concentration of IL-8, 8-isoprostane, and specific autoantibodies was observed. The results show that IL-8 and 8-isoprostane may be an important factor in liver pathologies in patients with PBC, especially in the development of inflammatory processes. Serum 8-isoprostane might be a promising marker for the prediction of the degree of liver fibrosis.

Keywords

• primary biliary cholangitis
• liver fibrosis
• 8-isoprostane
• interleukin-8