Diuresis versus therapeutic abdominal paracentesis: effects on ascitic fluid interleukin-1, opsonic activity and complement

ABSTRACT

Twenty-four patients were randomly allocated to two groups Group A included 12 patients treated with spironolactone [200-400 mg/day] and group B included 12 patients treated twice weekly with 34 l paracentesis for two weeks. Ascitic fluid samples from all patients were analyzed for total protein and albumin concentrations. C3 and IL-1 beta levels and OA at the beginning and two weeks after treatment. The results indicated that IL-1 beta, an immunoregulatory cytokine that stimulates a variety of cells that function as effector of immune response towards antigens, was significantly decreased following paracentesis, while it remained almost stable among the diuretic treated patients. The ascitic fluid OA and C3 concentrations increased significantly in diuretic treated patients [P <0.05]; while, patients treated with paracentesis had significantly decreased C3 concentration, and their ascitic fluid OA remained stable