Detection of the cholestatic factor in the liver tissue of patients with acute intrahepatic cholestasis.

A novel lymphokine, which we have designated as the cholestatic factor (CF). was produced from peripheral blood lymphocytes of patients with drug-induced allergic intrahepatic cholestasis by stimulation with a causative drug in the presence of the liver soluble fraction containing liver-specific lipoprotein (LSP). Marked reductions in bile flow and bile acid excretion were induced in rats by injecting CF through a mesenteric vein. In order to confirm the presence of CF in the liver tissue of patients, we attempted to detect this lymphokine by using the immunofluorescence technique. As a result, CF was found in the liver tissue of six out of 30 patients with acute intrahepatic cholestasis including one with hepatitis A type, one with hepatitis B type, one with hepatitis non-A non-B type and three with drug-induced allergic hepatitis. In contrast, CF was undetectable in the liver tissue of patients without intrahepatic cholestasis. These results may additionally support our assumption that CF plays an important role in the induction of intrahepatic cholestasis in various liver diseases.