Serum IL-21 levels correlated positively with total serum bilirubin levels (r = 0.46, p < 0.05), grading of necroinflammatory activity (r = 0.68, p < 0.005) and negatively with serum albumin levels in patients with AIH (r = −0.49, p < 0.05). The gene discussed is ALB; the disease is autoimmune hepatitis.