IOSR Journal of Applied Chemistry (IOSR-JAC) e-ISSN: 2278-5736.Volume 7, Issue 10 Ver. II. (Oct. 2014), PP 14-19 www.iosrjournals.org www.iosrjournals.org 14 | Page Biochemical studies of interleukin-2, 4, 6 and 8 in patients with chronic liver and kidney diseases Mohamed Ali El-Desouky 1 , Sanaa Osman Abd-Alaa 2 , Afaf Abd El-Aleem 3 , Hala Moustafa Ahmed 4 , Hazem Mohamed El- Hariri 5 and Hend Gaber Badawy 6 1 Associate professor of Biochemistry Faculty of Science Cairo University 2 Professor of Organic Chemistry Faculty of Science Cairo University 3 Professor of Clinical & Chemical Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, Ain Shams University 4 Associate Professor Dept.of Technology Equipment Faculty of Applied Medical Science October 6 University 5 Assistant researcher of Community medicine, National research center 6 ph.D, Faculty of Science – Cairo University Abstract: Background: Interleukins are a group of cytokines (secreted proteins/signaling molecules) that were first seen to be expressed by white blood cells (leukocytes). In chronic hepatitis C, intra-hepatic expression of both IL-8 and IL-2 increased with fibrosis and inflammatory activity. Positive correlations were found between IL-8 and other cytokines and between cytokines themselves. These findings suggest that these interacting cytokines play an active role in the pathogenesis of CHC, and maybe involved in the up regulation or induction of one and other, and interleukin-6 (IL-6), the major cytokine inducers of the acute phase response, are markedly raised in acute alcoholic hepatitis and correlate closely with clinical and laboratory indicators of disease severity. Methods: We measured (IL-2, IL-4, IL-6 and IL-8) serum levels in 60 patients classified into three different groups twenty chronic renal failure patients, twenty liver disease patients and twenty patients of chronic renal failure combined with liver diseases in comparison to twenty healthy controls. Serum (IL-2, IL-4, IL-6 and IL-8) were determined using ELISA technique. Results: IL-2 and IL-6 were significantly highest in HCV and combined groups with no significant difference between them, followed by renal group compared to IL-4 and IL-8 were significantly highest in combined group, followed by renal group, followed by HCV group and lowest in control group. Conclusions: IL-2 and IL-6 are elevated in patients with chronic HCV disease. IL-4 and IL-8 are elevated in chronic renal failure. Keywords: Chronic HCV; Chronic renal failure; Interleukins I. Introduction IL-2 is necessary for the growth, proliferation, and differentiation of T cells to become 'effector' T cells. IL-2 is normally produced by T cells during an immune response. Antigen binding to the T cell receptor (TCR) stimulates the secretion of IL-2, and the expression of IL-2 receptors IL-2R. The IL-2/IL-2R interaction then stimulates the growth, differentiation and survival of antigen-specific CD4+ T cells and CD8+ T cells [1]. As such, IL-2 is necessary for the development of T cell immunologic memory, which depends upon the expansion of the number and function of antigen-selected T cell clones.IL-2 is also necessary during T cell development in the thymus for the maturation of a subset of T cells that are termed regulatory T cells (T-regs) [2]. Interleukin-4, is a cytokine that induces differentiation of naive helper T cells (Th0 cells) to Th2 cells. Upon activation by IL-4, Th2 cells subsequently produce additional IL-4. The cell that initially produces IL-4, thus inducing Th0 differentiation, has not been identified, but recent studies suggest that basophils may be the effector cell [3]. It has many biological roles, including the stimulation of activated B-cell and T-cell proliferation, and the differentiation of B cells into plasma cells. It is a key regulator in humoral and adaptive immunity. IL-4 induces B-cell class switching to IgE, and up-regulates MHC class II production. IL-4 decreases the production of Th1 cells, macrophages, IFN-gamma, and dendritic cell IL-12. Overproduction of IL-4 is associated with allergies [4]. Tissue macrophages play an important role in chronic inflammation and wound repair. The presence of IL-4 in extravascular tissues promotes alternative activation of macrophages into M2 cells and inhibits classical activation of macrophages into M1 cells. An increase in repair macrophages (M2) is coupled with secretion of IL-10 that results in a diminution of pathological inflammation. Release of arginase, proline and polyaminases by the activated M2 cell is tied with wound repair and fibrosis [5]. Interleukin-6 (IL-6) is an interleukin that acts as both a pro-inflammatory cytokine and an anti- inflammatory myokine. In humans, it is encoded by the IL-6 gene. IL-6 is secreted by T cells and macrophages to stimulate immune response, e.g. during infection and after trauma, especially burns or other tissue damage