Modern Medicine | 2016, Vol. 23, No. 2 92 Implications of Interleukins in Liver Fibrosis and Sustained Virological Response in Patients with Viral Hepatitis C Alexandra Floriana Rosu 1 , Ovidiu Mircea Zlatian 2 , Viorel Biciusca 3 , Lucica Rosu 2 , Rui Tato Marinho 4 , Tudorel Ciurea 1 1 Department of Gastroenterology. Clinical Emergency County Hospital, Craiova, Romania 2 Department of Microbiology, University of Medicine and Phar- macy of Craiova, Romania 3 Department of Medical Semiology Faculty of Medicine, Univer- sity of Medicine and Pharmacy of Craiova, Romania 4 Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, “Santa Maria” University Hospital, Lisbon, Portugal. Corresponding author: Ovidiu Mircea Zlatian Dacia Boulevard, bl. F6, sc. 1, ap. 19, 200000 Craiova, Dolj county, Romania. E-mail: ovidiu.zlatian@gmail.com Abstract Introduction: Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms (SNPs) of IL 28 B and IL 10 were associated with sustained viro- logical response (SVR) and liver fibrosis in chronic hepatitis C patients treated with peg-interferon (Peg IFN) and Ribavirin (RBV). Methods: We studied 188 patients with chronic hepatitis C who received antiviral therapy. RNA HCV was determined by RT-PCR and liver fibrosis was evaluated by transient elastography (Fibroscan) and serological tests (APRI score). The IL 28 B rs12979860 and IL 10 R -1087 (rs1800896) SNPs were genotyped using Custom Taqman SNP Genotyping Assays. Results: From 176 patients, 98 (55.68%) had SVR, 59 (33.52%) were non- responders and 19 (10.80%) were relapsers. SVR was strongly associated with IL 28 B SNP genotypes (p<0.0005). Advanced/severe fibrosis was observed in 109 cases (57.97%). Fibrosis was not associated with IL 28 B SNP. IL 10 R SNP was a predictor for liver fibrosis: severe fibrosis was present in 66.67% of patients with GG genotype, 26.98% with GA and 51.02% with AA genotypes. The G allele of IL-10 SNP was associated with advanced fibrosis (OR: 2.40, p = 0.018). Conclusions: The determination of the interleukins polymorphisms is important in predicting the viral response to interferon therapy and evolution of liver fibrosis. Keywords: interleukins, liver fibrosis, hepatitis C Rezumat Introducere: Polimorfismele unui singur nucleotid (SNP) a IL 28 B și IL 10 au fost asociate cu un răspuns viral susţinut (RVS) și fibroza hepatică la pacienţii cu hepatită cronică C trataţi cu interferon peg-(Peg IFN) și ribavirină (RBV). Metode: Am studiat 188 de pacienţi cu hepatită cronică C, care au primit terapie antivirală. ARN HCV a fost determinat prin RT-PCR și fibroza hepatică a fost evaluată prin elastografie tranzitorie (Fibroscan ® ) și teste serologice (scor APRI). SNP IL 28 B rs12979860 și IL 10 R -1087 (rs1800896) s-au genotipat folosind Cus- tom Taqman SNP Genotyping Assays. Rezultate: Din 176 pacienţi, 98 (55.68%) au prezentat RVS, 59 (33,52%) au fost non-responderi și 19 (10,80%) cu recădere. RVS s-a asociat cu genotipurile SNP IL 28 B (p <0.0005). Fibroza avansată a fost observată la 109 cazuri (57,97%). Fibroza nu a fost asociată cu IL 28 B SNP. IL 10 R SNP a fost pre- dictor pentru fibroza hepatică: 66,67% din pacienţi au prezentat genotip GG, 26.98% genotip GA și 51.02%, genotip AA. Alela G IL-10 SNP s-a asociat cu fibroza avansată (OR: 2,40, p = 0,018). Concluzii: Determinarea polimorfisme- lor interleukinelor este importantă în prezicerea răspunsului viral la terapia cu interferon și evoluţia fibrozei hepatice. Cuvinte cheie: interleukine, fibroza hepatică, hepatita C ORIGINAL PAPERS