Increased serum levels of macrophage migration inhibitory factor in alcoholic liver diseases and their expression in liver tissues.
OBJECTIVE
To study the role of macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF) in the pathogenesis of alcoholic liver diseases.


METHODS
The levels of MIF in the sera were estimated by an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay in 13 patients with alcoholic hepatitis (ALH), 9 patients with alcoholic cirrhosis (ALC) and 26 normal controls. MIF was localized in the liver specimens by immunohistochemistry.


RESULTS
The mean levels of MIF in the sera were significantly higher in ALH and ALC compared with the normal controls (p < 0.05). Serial observations revealed a relationship between serum MIF levels and the serum transaminase levels. MIF was expressed by the hepatocytes and by the infiltrating cells around the site of accumulation of neutrophils and ballooned hepatocytes in ALH.


CONCLUSIONS
This is the first report on MIF in human alcoholic liver diseases, and the data suggest that MIF may be related to abnormal cytokine homeostasis in ALH.
Kumagi
T
T
Third Department of Internal Medicine, Ehime University School of Medicine, Shigenobu-Cho, Ehime 791-0295, Japan.
Akbar
F
F
Horiike
N
N
Onji
M
M
D016022:Case-Control Studies; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D008099:Liver / Q000378:metabolism*; D008108:Liver Diseases, Alcoholic / Q000097:blood* / Q000201:enzymology / Q000378:metabolism; D008111:Liver Function Tests; D008263:Macrophage Migration-Inhibitory Factors / Q000097:blood* / Q000378:metabolism
D008263:Macrophage Migration-Inhibitory Factors