Objective: To investigate the correlations of Helicobacter pylori (HP) with liver function, inflammatory factors and serum levels of forkhead box P3 (FoxP3) and retinoic acid receptor-related orphan receptor gamma-t (RORγt) in patients with hepatitis B cirrhosis (HBC).
Patients and methods: A total of 60 HBC patients were divided into HBC group (n=30) and HP-infected HBC group (HP&HBC group, n=30). QRT-PCR was conducted to determine the messenger ribonucleic acid (mRNA) levels of FoxP3 and RORγt in serum samples. ELISA was applied to measure the levels of relevant inflammatory factors. Besides, immunohistochemical staining was conducted to detect positive expressions of FoxP3 and RORγt in liver tissues of patients in the two groups.
Results: No significant differences in gender, drinking, smoking, diabetes and age were found between HBC group and HP&HBC group (p>0.05). Globulin and albumin levels were comparable between the two groups (p>0.05). Liver function indexes, including ALT, AST and TBIL were higher in HP&HBC group than those in HBC group (p<0.05). The HBV-DNA level was lower in HBC group in comparison with that in HP&HBC group. The interferon-gamma (IFN-γ) level was remarkably higher in HBC group than that in HP&HBC group (p<0.01), and the levels of interleukin (IL)-6, IL-10, IL-17 and transforming growth factor (TGF)-β1 were notably lower in HBC group in comparison with those in HP&HBC group (p<0.01). Additionally, the mRNA levels of FoxP3 and RORγt in HBC group were distinctly lower than those in HP&HBC group (p<0.01). The mRNA levels of FoxP3 and RORγt were positively related to those of IL-6, IL-10, IL-17, and TGF-β1, and negatively associated with IFN-γ level. Immunohistochemical results indicated that positive expression rates of FoxP3 and RORγt in the liver tissues were approximately 50% in HP&HBC group and B. Zhao, Q.-J. Sheng, Y. Qin, X.-L. Wang, H. Zhao, N. Zhaowere 15% in HBC group, and the difference was statistically significant (p<0.05).
Conclusions: Expression levels of FoxP3 and RORγt in serum and liver tissues are elevated in HP-infected HBC patients, and inflammatory factors are correlated with their expressions, suggesting the aggravated liver damage.