Abstract: Objective To investigate the expression of cytokines in the tissues of livers in patients with chronic hepatitis B receiving interferon-α therapy. Methods 50 patients with hepatitis B were treated with interferon-α for six months. The serum hepatic fibrosis index were assayed，and some cytokines were detected by immunohistochemistry in hepatic tissues before and after the treatment. Results After six month treatment，the HBV DNA loss was found in 37（74%），and HbeAg seroconversion was found in 27（54%）patients；the serum fibrosis index decreased，and the histological activity index and hepatic fibrosis improved；the hepatic expression of transforming growth factor-β1，tumor necrosis factor α，Fas，tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-1 and collogen I decreased（P<0.01），and the expression of matrix metalloproteinase-1 increased（P<0.05）. Conclusion Interferon-α probably weakens the immunological injury of hepatocytes by decreasing hepatitis B virus load，alleviate inflammatory reaction and hepatic fibrosis.

Key words: Hepatitis B, Interferon-α, Matrix metalloproteinase-1, Cytokines