Interleukins in liver disease treatment

Cytokines play pleiotropic roles in human health and disease by regulating both innate and adaptive immune responses.Interleukins(ILs),a large group of cytokines,can be divided into seven families,including IL-1,IL-2,IL-6,IL-8,IL-10,IL-12,and IL-17 families.Here,we review the functions of ILs in the pathogenesis and resolution of liver diseases,such as liver inflammation(e.g.,IL-35),alcoholrelated liver disease(e.g.,IL-11),non-alcoholic steatohepatitis(e.g.,IL-22),liver fibrosis(e.g.,Il-17a),and liver cancer(e.g.,IL-8).Overall,IL-1 family members are implicated in liver inflammation induced by different etiologies,such as alcohol consumption,high-fat diet,and hepatitis viruses.IL-2 family members mainly regulate T lymphocyte and NK cell proliferation and activation,and the differentiation of T cells.IL-6 family cytokines play important roles in acute phase response in liver infection,liver regeneration,and metabolic regulation,as well as lymphocyte activation.IL-8,also known as CXCL8,is activated in chronic liver diseases,which is associated with the accumulation of neutrophils and macrophages.IL-10 family members contribute key roles to liver immune tolerance and immunosuppression in liver disease.IL-12 family cytokines influence T-cell differentiation and play an essential role in autoimmune liver disease.IL-17 subfamilies contribute to infection defense,liver inflammation,and Th17 cell differentiation.ILs interact with different type I and type II cytokine receptors to regulate intracellular signaling pathways that mediate their functions.However,most clinical studies are only performed to evaluate IL-mediated therapies on alcohol and hepatitis virus infection-induced hepatitis.More pre-clinical and clinical studies are required to evaluate IL-mediated monotherapy and synergistic therapies.

Anti-inflammatory natural products modulate interleukins and their related signaling markers in inflammatory bowel disease:A systematic review

This review aims to identify in vivo studies investigating the potential of plant substances and their natural molecules in managing inflammatory bowel disease(IBD).Specifically,the objective is to examine the impact of these substances on interleukins and other key inflammatory signaling markers.Relevant articles published up to December 2022 were identified through a search of the PubMed,Scopus,Web of Science,and Embase databases.The search used keywords including“inflammatory bowel disease”,“medicinal plants”,“natural molecules”,“anti-inflammatory”,and“ulcerative colitis”,and identified 1,878 potentially relevant articles,of which 89 were included in this review after completion of the selection process.This study provides preclinical data on natural products(NPs)that can potentially treat IBD,including ulcerative colitis.The main actions of these NPs relate to their effects on nuclear factor kappa B(NF-κβ),the Janus kinase(JAK)/signal transducer and activator of transcription(STAT)signaling pathway,the regulation of T helper 17/regulatory T cells balance,and oxidative stress.The ability of these NPs to inhibit intestinal inflammation appears to be dependent on lowering levels of the pro-inflammatory cytokines tumor necrosis factor-alpha(TNF-α),interleukin(IL)-1β,and IL-17,via the Jun N-terminal kinase(JNK)1,NF-κβ-p65,and STAT3 pathways.In addition,NPs were shown to reduce oxidative stress and the severity of ulcerative colitis,as well as increase the activity of antioxidant enzymes.These actions suggest that NPs represent a promising treatment for IBD,and potentially have greater efficacy and safety than current treatments.

Interleukins and interleukin receptors in rheumatoid arthritis: Research, diagnostics and clinical implications

Rheumatoid arthritis(RA) is an autoimmune disease, resulting in a chronic, systemic inflammatory disorder. It may affect many tissues and organs, but it primarily affects the flexible joints. In clinical practice patient care generates many questions about diagnosis, prognosis, and treatment. It is challenging for health care specialists to keep up to date with the medical literature. This review summarizes the pathogenesis, the polymorphisms of interleukin and interleukin genes and the standard available and possible future immunologictargets for RA treatment. The identification of diseaseassociated interleukin and interleukin receptor genes can provide precious insight into the genetic variations prior to disease onset in order to identify the pathways important for RA pathogenesis. The knowledge of the complex genetic background may prove useful for developing novel therapies and making personalized medicine based on the individual's genetics.

Interleukins and Acute Phase Proteins of Bovine Sera during Natural Helminth Burden in Ibadan Nigeria

Inflammatory reactions in the gastrointestinal tract play an important role in the pathogenesis of gastroenteritis in bovine helminthosis. This study determined the serum concentrations of cytokines induced acute phase proteins (Serum Amyloid A (SAA), Haptoglobin (Hp) and C-reactive protein (CRP)) and the levels of immunoreactive interleukins (IL-1, IL-2, IL-3, IL-4, IL-5 and IL-6) in cattle naturally infected with helminths. We sampled a total of 480 slaughtered cattle of both sexes in a major abattoir in Ibadan, Nigeria. Sedimentation, floatation and modified McMaster techniques were employed to determine the degrees of helminth infections. Animals with eggs per gram (epg) less than 200 were adjudged to be apparently healthy. The serum concentrations of interleukins and acute phase proteins were determined using the Technicon AutoAnalyzer Model AA II. It was found that mean SAA (μg/l) and CRP (%) levels were significantly (P 0.05). Therefore, some acute phase proteins are involved in the pathophysiology of bovine helminthosis and are closely related to the inflammatory activation of the disease. In lieu of these findings, it is suggested that systemic markers of inflammation can identify subjects at high risk of natural bovine helminthosis and that IL-6 and SAA may be used as indicators for bovine helminthosis.

Roles of interleukins in antibacterial immune defense of the brood pouch in the lined seahorse Hippocampus erectus

Seahorse embryos are brooded in the enclosed nutrient-rich environment of the male brood pouch,which may be prone to bacterial infection.The immune responses of interleukin(IL)genes in the brood pouch have not been well studied.We identifi ed 13 interleukins in the lined seahorse Hippocampus erectus.Tissue-specifi c expression analysis revealed increased mRNA expression levels of il-1β,il-18,and il-8 in the brood pouch.When challenged with lipopolysaccharide or Vibrio parahaemolyticus,il-1βand il-18 were active as part of the acute and chronic infl ammatory responses,respectively.Importantly,il-8 may be involved in powerful antibacterial immune responses and may be induced by il-1βand il-18 via a process involving the nuclear factor-κB signaling pathway.These results suggest that il-1β,il-18,and il-8 may play key roles in the antibacterial immune defense of the brood pouch in male seahorses.

Clinical implications of interleukins-31, 32, and 33 in gastric cancer

BACKGROUND Gastric cancer(GC) is one of the most common malignancies in China with a high morbidity and mortality.AIM To determine whether interleukin(IL)-31, IL-32, and IL-33 can be used as biomarkers for the detection of GC, via evaluating the correlations between their expression and clinicopathological parameters of GC patients.METHODS Tissue array(n = 180) gastric specimens were utilised. IL-31, IL-32, and IL-33 expression in GC and non-GC tissues was detected immunohistochemically. The correlations between IL-31, IL-32, and IL-33 expression in GC and severity of clinicopathological parameters were evaluated. Survival curves were plotted using the Kaplan-Meier method/Cox regression. Circulating IL-31, IL-32, and IL-33 were detected by ELISA.RESULTS We found that the expression levels of IL-31, IL-32, and IL-33 were all lower in GC than in adjacent non-GC gastric tissues(P < 0.05). IL-33 in peripheral blood of GC patients was significantly lower than that of healthy individuals(1.50 ± 1.11 vs 9.61 ± 8.00 ng/m L, P <0.05). Decreased IL-31, IL-32, and IL-33 in GC were observed in younger patients(< 60 years), and IL-32 and IL-33 were lower in female patients(P < 0.05). Higher IL-32 correlated with a longer survival in two GC subgroups: T4 invasion depth and TNM I-II stage. Univariate/multivariate analysis revealed that IL-32 was an independent prognostic factor for GC in the T4 stage subgroup. Circulating IL-33 was significantly lower in GC patients at TNM stage IV than in healthy people(P < 0.05).CONCLUSION Our findings may provide new insights into the roles of IL-31, IL-32, and IL-33 in the carcinogenesis of GC and demonstrate their relative usefulness as prognostic markers for GC. The underlying mechanism of IL-31, IL-32, and IL-33 actions in GC should be further explored.

Serum interleukins IL-17 and IL-23 levels in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus as well as their correlation with the disease activity

Objective:To detect serum interleukins IL-17 and IL-23 levels in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and discuss their correlation with the disease activity.Methods:A total of 82 patients with SLE who were treated in the hospital between July 2012 and January 2017 were selected as observation group, and 50 healthy subjects who received physical examination in the hospital during the same period were selected as normal control group. Serum IL-17 and IL-23 levels in two groups of subjects were detected, and the median of serum IL-17 and IL-23 levels in the observation group were referred to further divide them into high IL-17 group and low IL-17 group as well as high IL-23 group and low IL-23 group respectively, 41 cases in each group. The levels of immunoglobulin, complement and adhesion molecules were compared between patients with different IL-17 and IL-23 levels.Results:Serum IL-17 and IL-23 levels in observation group were higher than those in normal control group. Serum IgA, IgM and IgG levels in high IL-17 group were higher than those in low IL-17 group while C3 level was lower than that in low IL-17 group;serum sVCAM-1 and sICAM-1 levels in high IL-17 group were higher than those in low IL-17 group. Serum IgA, IgM and IgG levels in high IL-23 group were higher than those in low IL-23 group while C3 level was lower than that in low IL-23 group;serum sVCAM-1 and sICAM-1 levels in high IL-23 group were higher than those in low IL-23 group.Conclusion: Serum IL-17 and IL-23 levels increase in patients with SLE, and their levels are directly correlated with the disease activity.

In-situ formation of“electron conductive wires”threaded ZIF-8 membrane for multiplexed immunoassay of human interleukins

To address the challenge of highly sensitive and accurate detection of biomarkers in complex environments,a rational engineering strategy for designing electrochemical immunosensing platform is proposed.Herein,we develop a microsensor chip through the combination of multiplexed electrodes and microfluidic channels for the parallel detection of human interleukins(IL-6 and IL-8).For the construction of an efficient sensing interface,the conductive silver nanowires(Ag NWs)wrapped with zeolitic imidazolate framework(ZIF-8)thin film(denoted as ZIF-8@Ag NWs)are prepared,and then employed for the multi-functionalization of electrodes.The immunodetection of ILs is based on the direct signal transduction ability of Ag NWs and specific interaction of periodically arranged Zn2+ions in ZIF-8 films with biomolecules,which offer the high assay sensitivity and good specificity.The immunosensor chip achieves a wide detection range from pg/mL to ng/mL and possesses the ability to resist non-specific proteins adsorption in biological complex media.Further clinical serum samples assay verifies that the combination of IL-6 and IL-8 levels yields high diagnostic accuracy.Principal component analysis(PCA)reveals that 18 patient samples could be fully separated from healthy control samples.The low-cost,easily fabricated electrochemical immunosensing platform provides a rapid serum test for diagnosis and personalized therapy of inflammatory diseases,and can also be generalized to other immunoreaction-based biomarkers detections.

Interleukin-mediated therapies in liver diseases and comorbidity effects

Cytokines like interleukins(ILs)play important roles in inflammation and innate immune.Yang and Zhang carried out an interesting study related to ILs and hepatic diseases.They described the role of ILs in the pathogenesis and resolution of hepatic disorders.The authors summarized alcohol-related liver disease and virus-induced hepatitis,as far as clinical studies a fortiori carried out on ILmediated treatments pertaining to these dysfunctions.This editorial contributes to the review by Yang and Zhang titled,"Interleukins in liver disease treatment",and focuses on therapies mediated by ILs in comorbid liver diseases.The documentary search was conducted on recent pertinent literature,primarily using the Google Scholar and PubMed databases.

The relationship between serum interleukins and T-lymphocyte subsets in patients with severe acute respiratory syndrome

Objectives To observe the changes of serum interleukins (IL), T lymphocyte subsets, and white blood cell (WBC) count in patients with severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS), and to investigate the relationship between injured immune function, immune response and disturbed immune adjustment in SARS patients Methods The levels of serum IL 2, IL 10, IL 12 and T lymphocyte subset counts were measured in 35 clinically diagnosed SARS patients by using enzyme linked immunosorbant assay (ELISA) The relationship between the measured results and WBC count was further analyzed Results The level of serum IL was increased to a great extent in the 35 SARS patients, and the levels of serum IL 2, IL 10 and IL 12 were 242 53 (92 69) pg/ml, 77 43 (63 37) pg/ml and 65 94 (43 21) pg/ml, respectively The level of serum IL 2 increased markedly ( P <0 01) The peripheral blood CD 3 +, CD 4 + and CD 8 + counts were lower than normal in 23 patients (67 7%), 26 patients (74 3%) and 15 patients (42 9%), respectively The peripheral blood WBC counts were lower than 4 0×10 9/L in 10 patients, and their CD 3 +, CD 4 + and CD 8 + counts were 583 90 (315 58)×10 6/L, 272 00 (94 13)×10 6/L and 209 00 (72 21)×10 6/L, respectively The peripheral blood WBC counts were (4 0-10 0)×10 9/L in 20 patients, and their CD 3 +, CD 4 + and CD 8 + counts were 700 00 (502 96)×10 6/L, 347 00 (247 58)×10 6/L and 322 05 (228 47)×10 6/L, respectively The peripheral blood WBC counts were higher than 10 0×10 9/L in 5 patients, and their CD 3 +, CD 4 + and CD 8 + counts were 1466 00 (630 86)×10 6/L, 783 00 (311 14)×10 6/L and 640 00 (294 40)×10 6/L, respectively The decreased CD 3 +, CD 4 + and CD 8 + counts were consistent with the decreased WBC counts The level of IL in SARS patients was significantly higher than that in patients with chronic hepatitis B ( P <0 01) Conclusions The level of serum IL is closely related to cell immunity in SARS patients The level of serum IL is increased evidently while CD 3 +, CD 4 + and CD 8 + counts decrease Both serum IL and CD are associated with injury of immune function, and thus they could be regarded as a monitoring index for judging the condition of SARS patients and prescribing immune therapy

The dual roles of cytokines in Alzheimer’s disease:update on interleukins, TNF-α,TGF-β and IFN-γ

Alzheimer’s disease(AD)is one of the most common neurodegenerative disorders in the elderly.Although the mechanisms underlying AD neurodegeneration are not fully understood,it is well recognized that inflammation plays a crucial role in the initiation and/or deterioration of AD neurodegeneration.Increasing evidence suggests that different cytokines,including interleukins,TNF-α,TGF-βand IFN-γ,are actively participated in AD pathogenesis and may serve as diagnostic or therapeutic targets for AD neurodegeneration.Here,we review the progress in understanding the important role that these cytokines or neuroinflammation has played in AD etiology and pathogenesis.

Association of DNA methylation/demethylation with the functional outcome of stroke in a hyperinflammatory state

Inflammation is closely related to stroke prognosis, and high inflammation status leads to poor functional outcome in stroke. DNA methylation is involved in the pathogenesis and prognosis of stroke. However, the effect of DNA methylation on stroke at high levels of inflammation is unclear. In this study, we constructed a hyperinflammatory cerebral ischemia mouse model and investigated the effect of hypomethylation and hypermethylation on the functional outcome. We constructed a mouse model of transient middle cerebral artery occlusion and treated the mice with lipopolysaccharide to induce a hyperinflammatory state. To investigate the effect of DNA methylation on stroke, we used small molecule inhibitors to restrain the function of key DNA methylation and demethylation enzymes. 2,3,5-Triphenyltetrazolium chloride staining, neurological function scores, neurobehavioral tests, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, quantitative reverse transcription PCR and western blot assay were used to evaluate the effects after stroke in mice. We assessed changes in the global methylation status by measuring DNA 5-mc and DNA 5-hmc levels in peripheral blood after the use of the inhibitor. In the group treated with the DNA methylation inhibitor, brain tissue 2,3,5-triphenyltetrazolium chloride staining showed an increase in infarct volume, which was accompanied by a decrease in neurological scores and worsening of neurobehavioral performance. The levels of inflammatory factors interleukin 6 and interleukin-1 beta in ischemic brain tissue and plasma were elevated, indicating increased inflammation. Related inflammatory pathway exploration showed significant overactivation of nuclear factor kappa B. These results suggested that inhibiting DNA methylation led to poor functional outcome in mice with high inflammation following stroke. Further, the effects were reversed by inhibition of DNA demethylation. Our findings suggest that DNA methylation regulates the inflammatory response in stroke and has an important role in the functional outcome of hyperinflammatory stroke.

Oligodendrocytes in central nervous system diseases:the effect of cytokine regulation

Cytokines including tumor necrosis factor, interleukins, interferons, and chemokines are abundantly produced in various diseases. As pleiotropic factors, cytokines are involved in nearly every aspect of cellular functions such as migration, survival, proliferation, and differentiation. Oligodendrocytes are the myelin-forming cells in the central nervous system and play critical roles in the conduction of action potentials, supply of metabolic components for axons, and other functions. Emerging evidence suggests that both oligodendrocytes and oligodendrocyte precursor cells are vulnerable to cytokines released under pathological conditions. This review mainly summarizes the effects of cytokines on oligodendrocyte lineage cells in central nervous system diseases. A comprehensive understanding of the effects of cytokines on oligodendrocyte lineage cells contributes to our understanding of central nervous system diseases and offers insights into treatment strategies.

Interleukin 1βreceptor and synaptic dysfunction in recurrent brain infection with Herpes simplex virus type-1

Several experimental evidence suggests a link between brain Herpes simplex virus type-1 infection and the occurrence of Alzheimer’s disease.However,the molecular mechanisms underlying this association are not completely understood.Among the molecular mediators of synaptic and cognitive dysfunction occurring after Herpes simplex virus type-1 infection and reactivation in the brain neuroinflammatory cytokines seem to occupy a central role.Here,we specifically reviewed literature reports dealing with the impact of neuroinflammation on synaptic dysfunction observed after recurrent Herpes simplex virus type-1 reactivation in the brain,highlighting the role of interleukins and,in particular,interleukin 1βas a possible target against Herpes simplex virus type-1-induced neuronal dysfunctions.

Data driven analysis reveals prognostic genes and immunological targets in human sepsis-associated acute kidney injury

BACKGROUND:The molecular mechanism of sepsis-associated acute kidney injury(SA-AKI)is unclear.We analyzed co-differentially expressed genes(co-DEGs)to elucidate the underlying mechanism and intervention targets of SA-AKI.METHODS:The microarray datasets GSE65682,GSE30718,and GSE174220 were downloaded from the Gene Expression Omnibus(GEO)database.We identified the co-DEGs and constructed a gene co-expression network to screen the hub genes.We analyzed immune correlations and disease correlations and performed functional annotation of the hub genes.We also performed single-cell and microenvironment analyses and investigated the enrichment pathways and the main transcription factors.Finally,we conducted a correlation analysis to evaluate the role of the hub genes.RESULTS:Interleukin 32(IL32)was identified as the hub gene in SA-AKI,and the main enriched signaling pathways were associated with hemopoiesis,cellular response to cytokine stimulus,inflammatory response,and regulation of kidney development.Additionally,IL32 was significantly associated with mortality in SA-AKI patients.Monocytes,macrophages,T cells,and NK cells were closely related to IL32 and were involved in the immune microenvironment in SA-AKI patients.IL32 expression increased significantly in the kidney of septic mouse.Toll-like receptor 2(TLR2)was significantly and negatively correlated with IL32.CONCLUSION:IL32 is the key gene involved in SA-AKI and is significantly associated with prognosis.TLR2 and relevant immune cells are closely related to key genes.

Association of serum interleukin-6 with negative symptoms in stable early-onset schizophrenia

BACKGROUND Accumulating evidence suggests that the inflammatory cytokine interleukin-6(IL-6)contributes to the pathophysiology of psychiatric disorders.However,there was no study concerning the relationship between IL-6 concentrations and clinical features in the chronic phase of early-onset schizophrenia(EOS).AIM To investigate the relationship between serum IL-6 concentration and the clinical features of EOS.METHODS We measured serum IL-6 Levels from 74 patients with chronic schizophrenia,including 33 with age at onset<21 years(EOS group)and 41 with onset≥21 years in[adult-onset schizophrenia(AOS)group],and from 41 healthy controls.Symptom severities were evaluated using the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale(PANSS).RESULTS Serum IL-6 concentrations were higher in both EOS and AOS groups than healthy controls(F=22.32,P<0.01),but did not differ significantly between EOS and AOS groups(P>0.05)after controlling for age,body mass index,and other covariates.Negative symptom scores were higher in the EOS group than the AOS group(F=6.199,P=0.015).Serum IL-6 concentrations in the EOS group were negatively correlated with both total PANSS-negative symptom score(r=-0.389,P=0.032)and avolition/asociality subscore(r=-0.387,P=0.026).CONCLUSION Patients with EOS may have more severe negative symptoms than those with adult-onset schizophrenia during the chronic phase of the illness.IL-6 signaling may regulate negative symptoms and its avolition/asociality subsymptoms among the early-onset chronic schizophrenic patients.

Gossypol acetic acid regulates leukemia stem cells by degrading LRPPRC via inhibiting IL-6/JAK1/STAT3 signaling or resulting mitochondrial dysfunction

BACKGROUND Leukemia stem cells(LSCs)are found to be one of the main factors contributing to poor therapeutic effects in acute myeloid leukemia(AML),as they are protected by the bone marrow microenvironment(BMM)against conventional therapies.Gossypol acetic acid(GAA),which is extracted from the seeds of cotton plants,exerts anti-tumor roles in several types of cancer and has been reported to induce apoptosis of LSCs by inhibiting Bcl2.AIM To investigate the exact roles of GAA in regulating LSCs under different microenvironments and the exact mechanism.METHODS In this study,LSCs were magnetically sorted from AML cell lines and the CD34+CD38-population was obtained.The expression of leucine-rich pentatricopeptide repeat-containing protein(LRPPRC)and forkhead box M1(FOXM1)was evaluated in LSCs,and the effects of GAA on malignancies and mitochondrial RESULTS LRPPRC was found to be upregulated,and GAA inhibited cell proliferation by degrading LRPPRC.GAA induced LRPPRC degradation and inhibited the activation of interleukin 6(IL-6)/janus kinase(JAK)1/signal transducer and activator of transcription(STAT)3 signaling,enhancing chemosensitivity in LSCs against conventional chemotherapies,including L-Asparaginase,Dexamethasone,and cytarabine.GAA was also found to downregulate FOXM1 indirectly by regulating LRPPRC.Furthermore,GAA induced reactive oxygen species accumulation,disturbed mitochondrial homeostasis,and caused mitochondrial dysfunction.By inhibiting IL-6/JAK1/STAT3 signaling via degrading LRPPRC,GAA resulted in the elimination of LSCs.Meanwhile,GAA induced oxidative stress and subsequent cell damage by causing mitochondrial damage.CONCLUSION Taken together,the results indicate that GAA might overcome the BMM protective effect and be considered as a novel and effective combination therapy for AML.

Interleukin 6 and Bone Erosions in Rheumatoid Arthritis in an African Hospital

Introduction: Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic, erosive and deforming inflammatory rheumatic disease. In the era of biotherapies and the arrival of biosimilars in sub-Saharan Africa, the objective of this study was to describe plasma IL-6 variations in RA patients at Cité Verte District Hospital (Cameroon). Material and Methods: Descriptive and analytical cross-sectional study from December 1, 2021 to May 31, 2022. We included patients over 18 years old suffering from RA (ACR/EULAR 2010). Patients with an infection were not included. The data collected were age, sex, smoking status, family history, disease duration, disease activity by DAS28, CRP, rheumatoid factor, and plasma level of IL-6. Bone erosion was sought on radiography and ultrasound. Result: We included 31 patients, 25 of whom were women (80.6%). The mean age was 47.27 ± 17.97 years. Disease activity was predominantly moderate (32.3%) and severe (32.3%). Mean IL-6 level was 15.29 ± 2.36 pg/ml (extremes: 11.26 pg/ml and 20.15 pg/ml). IL-6 levels were higher in patients with a history of smoking. Similarly, IL-6 levels were higher in patients with mildly active RA in remission than in moderately and severely active RA. Mean IL-6 levels were significantly higher in patients with erosive RA (16.3 pg/ml VS 14.6 pg/ml). Conclusion: IL-6 levels were significantly elevated in men, weaned smokers and patients with bone erosions.

Clinical Study on the Effectiveness of Xian Fang Huo Ming Yin for Treating Cutaneous Infections and Promoting Wound Healing in Patients with Perianal Abscess

Objective:To explore the effect of the Xian Fang Huo Ming Yin(XFHM)for treating cutaneous infections and promoting wound healing in patients with perianal abscesses.Methods:Sixty-one patients with perianal abscesses who were admitted to our hospital(Xinghua City People’s Hospital)from May 2022 to May 2023 were selected and randomly divided into two groups,a control group(30 cases)and a study group(31 cases).Both groups received surgical treatment.The control group received conventional treatment and warm water fumigation,sitz bath,and surgical dressing change after surgery,while the research group received XFHM based on the control group.XFHM was taken orally and replaced with warm water for fumigation and sitz bathing.Both groups received treatment for 4 weeks but discontinued sitz bathing after 2 weeks.Various clinical indicators between the two groups were compared.Results:The total clinical effective rate and wound recovery rate of the study group were higher than that of the control group.There were differences in the wound pain scores,surrounding tissue edema,and wound secretions at different time points.Both groups experienced wound pain.The scores of wound pain,surrounding tissue edema,and wound secretions of the study group were lower than those of the control group,7 and 14 days after surgery.The serum interleukin 6(IL-6),tumor necrosis factor-alpha(TNF-α)levels,and pH values of the study group were lower than those of the control group 10 days after surgery(P<0.05).Conclusion:The application of XFHM for treating cutaneous infections and promoting wound healing in patients with perianal abscesses improved the treatment outcome,alleviated clinical symptoms,and promoted healing.

Different plasma levels of interleukins and chemokines： comparison between children and adults with AIDS in China

Background The immunological differences between children and adults with AIDS in China are not well documented. Th1/Th2 cytokines and chemokines are two types of immune factors intimately involved in disease progression of HIV-1 infection. This study aimed to identify changes in plasma levels of Th1/Th2 cytokines inerleukin （IL）-18, IL-16, IL-10 and chemokines regulated on activation, normal T cell expressed and secreted （RANTES）, stromal cell-derived factor-1 （SDF-1） and monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 （MCP-1） in HIV-l-infected children and adults in China. Methods Seventy-five children with AIDS and 35 adult AIDS patients were recruited and clinical data were collected. CD4^＋ T lymphocyte counts were measured by flow cytometery and plasma HIV RNA levels were measured by quantitative RT-PCR. Plasma levels of IL-18, IL-10, IL-16, RANTES, MCP-1, SDF-1a and SDF-1β were quantified by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The levels of β2-microglobulin （β2-MG） and soluble Fas （sFas） were measured to validate the level of humoral and cellular immune activation. Results The mean levels of all cytokines in pediatric and adult AIDS patients were significantly higher than in their healthy controls （P 〈0.01）. The mean levels of these cytokines were higher in pediatric patients than in adult patients （P 〈0.05, except for SDF-la and β2-MG）. Some of the cytokine levels in patients younger than 6 years old was higher than in older children and adults with AIDS （IL-10, IL-18, SDF-la, MCP, RANTES and sFas, P 〈0.05）. Levels of IL-18, IL-10, RANTES and β2-MG of pediatric patients increased as the levels of viral load increased （P 〈0.05）. Conclusions Abnormal immune activation can be measured in Chinese pediatric and adult patients with AIDS, and is higher in children than in adult patients. The cytokines levels coincide with disease progression of AIDS, but have no direct relationship with total CD4^＋ T cell count.