title: The effect of citrus peel extracts on cytokines levels and T regulatory cells in acute liver injury.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  T cell-mediated immune responses contribute to the hepatocellular injury during autoimmune hepatitis, viral infection, and hepatotoxins. Pharmacological compounds regulating immune responses are suitable candidates for prevention/treatment of this pathology. Therefore, the main aim of this study was to define the effects of antioxidant, anti-inflammatory mixture of citrus peel extract (CPE) on the immune-mediated liver injury.
  
  
  METHODS
  The influence of CPE on liver injury was determined by the activity of transaminases in plasma and the histological changes. Anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects were studied by measuring frequency of T regulatory cells (Tregs), cytokines (TNF-α, IL-10, and IFN-γ), and nitric oxide levels.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The CPE application notably prevents development of liver injury through decreasing levels of both cytokines (TNF-alpha, INF) and regulatory T cells and increasing levels of IL-10. CPE injection also diminished the serum NO, which in turn resulted in evident reduction of the liver damage.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Our findings represent the primary preclinical data indicating that the CPE in vivo could ameliorate Con A induced hepatitis. The low dose of CPE most likely can be used for the treatment of the T cell-mediated liver injury as in autoimmune hepatitis, alcoholic hepatitis, and chronic viral hepatitis.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Medical Biotechnology, Tbilisi State Medical University, Chiaureli Street 2a, 0159 Tbilisi, Georgia.
authors.forename: Ia
authors.identifier: 0000-0002-7439-6867
authors.initials: Ia
authors.lastname: Pantsulaia
authors.affiliation: Institute of Medical Biotechnology, Tbilisi State Medical University, Chiaureli Street 2a, 0159 Tbilisi, Georgia.
authors.forename: Manana
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Iobadze
authors.affiliation: Institute of Medical Biotechnology, Tbilisi State Medical University, Chiaureli Street 2a, 0159 Tbilisi, Georgia.
authors.forename: Nato
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Pantsulaia
authors.affiliation: Institute of Medical Biotechnology, Tbilisi State Medical University, Chiaureli Street 2a, 0159 Tbilisi, Georgia.
authors.forename: Tinatin
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Chikovani
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000975:Antioxidants / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D056486:Chemical and Drug Induced Liver Injury / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000276:immunology / Q000473:pathology; D002957:Citrus / Q000737:chemistry; D003208:Concanavalin A / Q000633:toxicity; D006505:Hepatitis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000276:immunology / Q000473:pathology; D007371:Interferon-gamma / Q000097:blood; D016753:Interleukin-10 / Q000097:blood; D051379:Mice; D009569:Nitric Oxide / Q000097:blood; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000737:chemistry; D013154:Spleen / Q000187:drug effects / Q000276:immunology; D050378:T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000276:immunology; D000637:Transaminases / Q000097:blood; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / Q000097:blood
chemical_list: D000975:Antioxidants; D010936:Plant Extracts; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha; D003208:Concanavalin A; D016753:Interleukin-10; D009569:Nitric Oxide; D007371:Interferon-gamma; D000637:Transaminases