ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE@#To study the changes of Th1 and Th2 type cytokines and B lymphocyte level and their clinical significance in idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP) patients treated by recombinant human thrombopoietin (rhTPO).@*METHODS@#The peripheral blood levels of Th1 and Th2 type of cytokines and B lymphocyte were estimated by CBA in 48 patients with ITP, and compared with those in 35 control persons of heath examination.@*RESULTS@#Before treatment, the levels of Th1 type cytokines and B lymphocyte in 48 patients with ITP were higher, and the levels of Th2 type cytokines were lower than those of healthy controls (P＜0.05). The levels of the peripheral blood CD19 cells, CD5CD19 cells, IL-2 expression negatively correlated with Plt counts in ITP patients (P＜0.05), the levels of IL-4 positively correlated with Plt counts (P＜0.05). After treatment with rhTPO, the levels of Th1 type cytokines and B lymphocytes in 48 patients with ITP significantly decreased, and the levels of Th2 type cytokines significantly increased in comparison with those before treatment (P＜0.05).@*CONCLUSION@#Peripheral blood Th1 and Th2 type cytokines express abnormally and level of B lymphocytes increases significantly in ITP patinets. The disease severity correlats with the levels of Th1 and Th2 type cytokines and B lymphocytes. Platelets increase after rhTPO treatment, showing that rhTPO can play an important role in regulating Th1 and Th2 immunologic balance and B lymphocyte level in ITP patients.