A S Eriksson1, C Gretzer, S Wallerstedt. 1. Department of Medicine, Gastroenterology and Hepatology Unit, Sahlgren University/East Hospital, Göteborg, Sweden. anders.s.eriksson@vgregion.se
Abstract
BACKGROUND/AIMS: Liver cirrhosis, described as the endstage of a necroinflammatory process, is often accompanied by ascites formation. The rationale for this study was the hypothesis that patients with liver cirrhosis have a low-grade chronic inflammatory response, which leads to an increased amount of proinflammatory cytokines accumulated in ascites. Twenty-five patients with liver cirrhosis complicated by ascites and twelve healthy volunteers were prospectively included in the study. METHODOLOGY: Ascites and blood samples from the patients were obtained for analysis of inflammatory cytokines using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay methodology. Blood samples were taken from the healthy volunteers to obtain reference values. RESULTS: Plasma and ascites concentrations of interleukin-1alpha, interleukin-6, and tumor necrosis factor-alpha were significantly elevated in the patients compared with plasma levels in the group of healthy controls. Significant elevation of interleukin-10 concentrations was found in ascites but not in plasma in the patients. There was no significant difference in interleukin-10 levels between patient and control plasma. CONCLUSIONS: The findings suggest that elevated cytokine concentrations in ascites and serum could perpetuate an inflammatory reaction that may be a source of preservation of an ongoing systemic inflammatory reaction. This may contribute to the maintenance, and even progress, of the liver dysfunction, leading to exaggerated ascites development.
BACKGROUND/AIMS: Liver cirrhosis, described as the endstage of a necroinflammatory process, is often accompanied by ascites formation. The rationale for this study was the hypothesis that patients with liver cirrhosis have a low-grade chronic inflammatory response, which leads to an increased amount of proinflammatory cytokines accumulated in ascites. Twenty-five patients with liver cirrhosis complicated by ascites and twelve healthy volunteers were prospectively included in the study. METHODOLOGY:Ascites and blood samples from the patients were obtained for analysis of inflammatory cytokines using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay methodology. Blood samples were taken from the healthy volunteers to obtain reference values. RESULTS: Plasma and ascites concentrations of interleukin-1alpha, interleukin-6, and tumor necrosis factor-alpha were significantly elevated in the patients compared with plasma levels in the group of healthy controls. Significant elevation of interleukin-10 concentrations was found in ascites but not in plasma in the patients. There was no significant difference in interleukin-10 levels between patient and control plasma. CONCLUSIONS: The findings suggest that elevated cytokine concentrations in ascites and serum could perpetuate an inflammatory reaction that may be a source of preservation of an ongoing systemic inflammatory reaction. This may contribute to the maintenance, and even progress, of the liver dysfunction, leading to exaggerated ascites development.
Authors: Mao Zhao; Luan Xiaofei; Cao Gang; Liu Wei; Xiong Jing; Hu Gang; Chen Ruini; Ning Rui; Shang Wei; Yang Jian; Yan Bingfang Journal: Biochem Pharmacol Date: 2012-06-21 Impact factor: 5.858