Interleukin-12, zinc and vitamin a status in patients with viral hepatitis and diabetes mellitus

Dialysis patients who suffer in same time from chronic kidney disease (CKD) are at increasing risk of developing viral infections as hepatitis B virus (HBV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV) due to immune system weakening and frequent introduction to blood products. Cytokines and micronutrients play an essential role in the ruling of the immune system and protection against viral infections like hepatitis. The purpose of the happened study is to evaluate the serum levels of interleukin 12 (IL-12) zinc and finally vitamin A in patients with hepatitis B and/or hepatitis C virus-infected renal failure in the city of Salah al-Din.

A total of 71 participants contained: 8 controls, 27 HBV, 15 HCV, 4 co-infected, and 17 diabetic patients with viral infection ((either HBV or HCV)). IL-12 of serum was measured by ELISA, while zinc and vitamin A were determined spectrophotometrically. IL-12 levels were meaningfully elevated in all patient groups, with the highest levels in co-infected patients. Zinc and vitamin A absorptions were significantly reduced in infected and diabetic of patient groups. Relationship analysis showed a negative association between IL-12 and both zinc (r = −0.58, p < 0.01) and vitamin A (r = −0.51, p < 0.01).

The study shows that infection with viral hepatitis in patients with renal failure is related with inflammatory immune motivation and micronutrient insufficiencies particularly zinc and vitamin A that can disturb immune responses and disease progression.