Interleukin-6, nitric oxide, and the clinical and hemodynamic alterations of patients with liver cirrhosis

Abstract

Although the activity of the nitric oxide pathway is increased in patients with cirrhosis and might contribute to the hemodynamic alteration, other factors are involved. Interleukin-6, possibly through nitric oxide-independent mechanisms, also might play a role in the vasodilatation of cirrhosis and the pathogenesis of hepatic encephalopathy.

Serum Levels of Interleukin-6 and Its Soluble Receptors in Patients with Hepatitis C Virus Infection

“…Previous reports have demonstrated elevated IL-6 levels in patients with acute and chronic liver disease [10,11,18]. The elevated levels of serum IL-6 were also demonstrated in HCV-infected patients [22,23].…”

“…The pathophysiological role of IL-6 in acute or chronic liver disease has been studied intensively [9]. Although IL-6 was consistently found to be elevated in liver diseases, such as chronic hepatitis and cirrhosis [10,11], the clinical relevance and molecular function of IL-6 in the pathogenesis of liver disease are only incompletely understood.…”

The quantification of cytochrome P-450 (CYP 3A4) mRNA in the blood of patients with viral liver diseases

“…Glucocorticoid and rifampicin enhance the expression of CYP [14]. On the other hand, IL-6 suppresses CYP expression [15] and is elevated in patients with LC [16], suggesting that IL-6 plays some role in the low CYP 3A4 mRNA titer in LC. The mechanism of the CYP 3A4 decrease in LC requires further analysis.…”

Infection, inflammation and hepatic encephalopathy, synergism redefined

“…Higher levels of TNFa and IL-6 are already detectable in the serum of patients with fulminant hepatitis [10] and cirrhosis [11]. Inflammatory cytokines in patients with infections and liver disease could influence brain function at different levels.…”