title: Relation of tumor necrosis factor (TNF) gene polymorphisms with serum concentrations and in vitro production of TNF-alpha and interleukin-8 in heavy drinkers.
abstract: Tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) and interleukin-8 (IL-8) play a role in the pathogenesis of alcoholic hepatitis. The aim of the current study was to investigate the possible relation of TNF gene polymorphisms with TNF-alpha and IL-8 synthesis in heavy drinkers. Nineteen heavy drinkers and 14 healthy control subjects were included in the study. Investigations included (a) polymorphisms in the TNF promoter region at positions -238 (G-->A), -308 (G-->A), -857 (C-->T), and -863 (C-->A), as well as a biallelic Ncol restriction fragment length polymorphism in the first intron of the close TNF-beta gene; (b) serum TNF-alpha and IL-8 concentrations; and (c) TNF-alpha and IL-8 production by phytohemagglutinin A-stimulated peripheral blood mononuclear cells. In comparison with findings for control subjects, heavy drinkers showed higher TNF-alpha production, higher IL-8 production, and higher serum IL-8 concentrations. Increased serum TNF-alpha concentrations were specifically found in heavy drinkers with the -857 (C-->T) substitution (CT heterozygotes), therefore indicating an interaction between alcohol consumption and that polymorphism on serum TNF-alpha concentrations.
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine, Complejo Hospitalario Universitario de Santiago, Spain. mearturo@usc.es
authors.forename: Arturo
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: González-Quintela
authors.forename: Maria-Jesus
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Dominguez-Santalla
authors.forename: Lourdes
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Loidi
authors.forename: Celsa
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Quinteiro
authors.forename: Luis F
authors.initials: LF
authors.lastname: Perez
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000428:Alcohol Drinking / Q000097:blood* / Q000235:genetics*; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D016209:Interleukin-8 / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000097:blood; D007963:Leukocytes, Mononuclear / Q000378:metabolism; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011110:Polymorphism, Genetic / Q000235:genetics*; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000235:genetics*
chemical_list: D016209:Interleukin-8; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha