Published online Aug 15, 1998. doi: 10.3748/wjg.v4.i4.311
Revised: June 20, 1998
Accepted: July 14, 1998
Published online: August 15, 1998
AIM: To investigate the effect of cytokines on the liver necrosis.
METHODS: rIL (interleukin)-1, rIL-6, rIFN (interferon)γ, rTNF (tumor necrosis factor)α with or without D-galactosamine (D-GAL) were injected into the abdominal cavity of mice separately. ALT, TBIL (total bilirubin) and histological changes were observed.
RESULTS: There was no effect on hepatocyte of normal mice after injection of rIL-1, rIL-6, rIFN alone or together. The serum total bilirubin (TBIL) and liver necrosis of mice increased after rTNFα, rIL-6 or rIFNγ were used separately with D-GAL. The TBIL level (μmol/L)was 46.19 ± 10.62, 44.55 ± 12.9 and 41.94 ± 14.9, higher than that caused by D-GAL alone (TBIL, 26.67 μmol/L ± 11.14 μmol/L). The serum TBIL of mice and the degree of liver necrosis increased after injection of IL-1, IL-6 with D-GAL and rTNFα.
CONCLUSION: Cytokines, like IL-1, IL-6, IFNγ and TNFα joined in the process of hepatocyte necrosis. They can enhance the degree of liver necrosis induced by D-GAL.