Cytokines in detoxified patients with chronic alcoholism without liver disease: increased monocytic cytokine production

Background: The aim of the present study was to examine the production of interferon-γ, tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), granulocyte–macrophage colony stimulating factor (GM-CSF), interleukin-6 (IL-6), IL-10, IL-4, IL-5, IL-1 receptor antagonist (IL-1RA), and prostaglandin E2 in relation to the number of leukocytes in the blood of detoxified, chronic alcoholic patients without apparent liver disease (AWLD). Methods: Phytohemagglutinin + lipopolysaccharide-induced production of the above variables as well as the number of white blood cells and differentials were determined in detoxified AWLD patients and normal volunteers. Results: Detoxified AWLD patients have a significantly higher production of IL-6, IL-10, TNF-α, GM-CSF, and IL-1RA and significantly increased numbers of leukocytes and neutrophils compared to normal volunteers. Conclusions: Detoxified AWLD patients show an increased production of proinflammatory cytokines, i.e., IL-6, TNF-α, and GM-CSF, as well as negative immunoregulatory proteins, such as IL-10 and IL-1RA.