Serum TNF‐α, IL‐1β, and IL‐6 levels in chronic HBV‐infected patients

Background The objective of the study was to evaluate the serum levels of tumour necrosis factor (TNF)‐α, interleukin (IL)‐1β and IL‐6 in chronic HBV‐infected patients. Methods The present study was a single centre, prospective and randomised controlled trial. Twenty healthy volunteers and thirty HBeAg‐negative patients with planned liver biopsy and treatment‐naive diagnosed with chronic hepatitis B (CHB) were included in the study. TNF‐α, IL‐1β and IL‐6 levels were measured in the serum of CHB patient and control groups using an ELISA. Results were compared statistically using a Mann‐Whitney U test. Results The mean age of the CHB group (20 men, 10 women) and the control group (10 men, 10 women) was 33.3 ± 9.7 (17‐55) and 26.1 ± 12.3 (16‐57), respectively. When the two groups were compared with the Mann‐Whitney U‐test, TNF‐α and IL‐6 levels were found to be significantly higher in the CHB group compared to the control group (P = .003, P