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Increased serum and hepatic tissue levels of interleukin‐18 in patients with fulminant hepatic failure
Author(s) -
Shinoda Masahiro,
Wakabayashi Go,
Shimazu Motohide,
Saito Hidetsugu,
Hoshino Ken,
Tanabe Minoru,
Morikawa Yasuhide,
Endo Shigeatsu,
Ishii Hiromasa,
Kitajima Masaki
Publication year - 2006
Publication title -
journal of gastroenterology and hepatology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.214
H-Index - 130
eISSN - 1440-1746
pISSN - 0815-9319
DOI - 10.1111/j.1440-1746.2006.04376.x
Subject(s) - fulminant hepatic failure , medicine , fulminant , liver transplantation , cytokine , interleukin , liver tissue , transplantation , gastroenterology , pathology
Background: Fulminant hepatic failure is a serious clinical condition associated with a high mortality rate. Interleukin (IL)‐18 is a pro‐inflammatory cytokine that is associated with several inflammatory diseases. The purpose of the present paper was therefore to investigate whether IL‐18 is elevated in patients with fulminant hepatic failure. Methods: Serum levels of IL‐18 were measured in patients with fulminant hepatic failure before and after liver transplantation. Native liver tissue samples were collected and the tissue levels of IL‐18 were determined. Liver tissues were stained immunohistochemically with antihuman IL‐18 antibody. The serum levels of IL‐1β, IL‐6, IL‐8, IL‐12, interferon‐γ, and tumor necrosis factor‐α were also determined in patients with fulminant hepatic failure before and after liver transplantation. Results: Elevated levels of IL‐18 in serum and hepatic tissue were observed in patients with fulminant hepatic failure. Native liver tissue samples were immunohistochemicaly positive for IL‐18. Interleukin‐18 levels were markedly reduced after liver replacement. No other inflammatory cytokines were substantially elevated in patients with fulminant hepatic failure. Conclusion: The serum levels of IL‐18 levels are elevated much more than those of other cytokines in patients with fulminant hepatic failure.