[The dynamic production of interferons, interleukins and arachidonic acid metabolites by the blood cells of children with glomerulonephritis associated with HB virus infection while treated with reaferon]

Abstract

The efficacy of therapy with reaferon (recombinant alpha 2-interferon) was studied in children with glomerulonephritis (GN) associated with hepatitis B virus infection as well as its effect on the interferon status (IFN), production of interleukins (IL) 1 and 2 and synthesis of active arachidonic acid (AA) metabolites by the blood cells in the course of treatment. The IFN status, IL-1, IL-2 production, and synthesis of AA active metabolites (LTB 4- and 5-HETE) by the blood cells, as well as markers of HBV-infection (HBsAg, anti-HBs, anti-HBc total and anti-HBc of the IgM class) were examined over time in 60 GN patients treated with reaferon alone and administered immunosuppression therapy (IST), with antioxidants, or IST alone. The employment of reaferon for treatment of GN patients was shown to increase the efficacy of GN treatment, especially in combination with immunosuppressive drugs, to prevent reactivation of hepatitis B virus when prednisolone and/or cytostatic drugs were used, and to reduce hepatitis activity. It way be assumed that the above effects were mainly due to the action of reaferon and antioxidants on the improvement of the condition of immunocompetent cells, primarily monocyte-macrophage system and leukocytes. During reaferon therapy, normalization of alpha-IFN and IL-1 production by the blood cells and inhibition of production of AA active metabolites were observed.