Cytokines in detoxified patients with chronic alcoholism without liver disease: increased monocytic cytokine production.
BACKGROUND
The aim of the present study was to examine the production of interferon-gamma, tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha), granulocyte-macrophage colony stimulating factor (GM-CSF), interleukin-6 (IL-6), IL-10, IL-4, IL-5, IL-1 receptor antagonist (IL-1RA), and prostaglandin E2 in relation to the number of leukocytes in the blood of detoxified, chronic alcoholic patients without apparent liver disease (AWLD).


METHODS
Phytohemagglutinin + lipopolysaccharide-induced production of the above variables as well as the number of white blood cells and differentials were determined in detoxified AWLD patients and normal volunteers.


RESULTS
Detoxified AWLD patients have a significantly higher production of IL-6, IL-10, TNF-alpha, GM-CSF, and IL-1RA and significantly increased numbers of leukocytes and neutrophils compared to normal volunteers.


CONCLUSIONS
Detoxified AWLD patients show an increased production of proinflammatory cytokines, i.e., IL-6, TNF-alpha, and GM-CSF, as well as negative immunoregulatory proteins, such as IL-10 and IL-1RA.
D000328:Adult; D000437:Alcoholism / Q000378:metabolism*; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D002908:Chronic Disease; D016207:Cytokines / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000378:metabolism*; D003866:Depressive Disorder / Q000378:metabolism; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008107:Liver Diseases / Q000378:metabolism; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged