INTERRELATIONS OF CYTOKINE PRODUCTION IN THE COURSE OF IMMUNOCORRECTION WITH ECHINACEA FOR REACTIVATION OF HERPESVIRUS INFECTION

Abstract

Abstract. Patients with exacerbation of chronic herpesvirus infection were subjected to immunocorrection therapy. In the course of treatment, time-dependent correlations were found between the changes in production of IFNγ, IL-1β and IL-6, and initial level of IFNγ. The patients with high initial concentrations of IFNγ did also exhibit above-normal initial IL-1Β and IL-6 values, as compared to appropriate parameters for a sub-group with low IFNγ levels. In the course of immunocorrection with Echinacea, all the patients showed increase in IFNγ levels. However, due to initially low IFNγ values, its increase was more pronounced than in persons with high background levels of IFNγ. Dynamics of IL-1Β decrease and changes in IL-6 concentrations were more expressed in cases of higher initial levels of these cytokines. The alterations revealed for IFNγ, IL-1Β and IL-6 levels confirm that immunocorrection with Echinacea causes reduced intensity of inflammation and activation of antiviral immune response. (Med. Immunol., 2008, vol. 10, N 2-3, pp 283-290).

Keywords

• herpesvirus infection
• immunocorrection
• cytokines
• ifnγ
• il-1β
• il-6