title: Elevation of cytokines in peritoneal fluid and blood in patients with liver cirrhosis.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  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.
  
  
  METHODS
  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.affiliation: Department of Medicine, Gastroenterology and Hepatology Unit, Sahlgren University/East Hospital, Göteborg, Sweden. anders.s.eriksson@vgregion.se
authors.forename: A S
authors.initials: AS
authors.lastname: Eriksson
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Gretzer
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Wallerstedt
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001201:Ascites / Q000097:blood / Q000378:metabolism*; D001202:Ascitic Fluid / Q000737:chemistry*; D016207:Cytokines / Q000032:analysis* / Q000097:blood; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007375:Interleukin-1 / Q000032:analysis / Q000097:blood; D015850:Interleukin-6 / Q000032:analysis / Q000097:blood; D008103:Liver Cirrhosis / Q000209:etiology / Q000378:metabolism*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / Q000032:analysis
chemical_list: D016207:Cytokines; D007375:Interleukin-1; D015850:Interleukin-6; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha