PT  - JOURNAL ARTICLE
AU  - N C Fisher
AU  - D A H Neil
AU  - A Williams
AU  - D H Adams
TI  - Serum concentrations and peripheral secretion of the beta chemokines monocyte chemoattractant protein 1 and macrophage inflammatory protein 1α in alcoholic liver disease
AID  - 10.1136/gut.45.3.416
DP  - 1999 Sep 01
TA  - Gut
PG  - 416--420
VI  - 45
IP  - 3
4099  - http://gut.bmj.com/content/45/3/416.short
4100  - http://gut.bmj.com/content/45/3/416.full
SO  - Gut1999 Sep 01; 45
AB  - BACKGROUND Alcoholic liver disease is associated with increased hepatic expression of monocyte chemoattractant protein 1 (MCP-1) and macrophage inflammatory protein 1α (MIP-1α).AIMS To determine whether concentrations of chemokines in the peripheral circulation reflect disease activity, and whether chemokine secretion is restricted to the liver or is part of a systemic inflammatory response in alcoholic liver disease.PATIENTS Fifty one patients with alcoholic liver disease and 12 healthy controls.METHODS Peripheral vein (and hepatic vein in patients undergoing transjugular liver biopsy) chemokine concentrations were measured by ELISA. Chemokine secretion and transcription in isolated peripheral mononuclear cells were assessed using ELISA and in situ hybridisation in patients with severe alcoholic hepatitis.RESULTS Serum MCP-1 concentrations were higher in alcoholic hepatitis compared with cirrhosis or healthy controls. MIP-1α concentrations were below the assay sensitivity in most patients. Serum MCP-1 concentrations correlated significantly with serum aspartate aminotransferase and creatinine. In severe alcoholic hepatitis, MCP-1 concentrations were higher in hepatic compared with peripheral veins; in mild alcoholic hepatitis there was no difference. Mononuclear cell secretion of both MCP-1 and MIP-1α was higher in severe alcoholic hepatitis compared with healthy controls, and chemokine mRNA was identified in monocytes.CONCLUSIONS Serum MCP-1 concentrations are raised in alcoholic liver disease and reflect severity of hepatic inflammation. Monocyte secretion of both MCP-1 and MIP-1α is increased in severe alcoholic hepatitis. Both intrahepatic sources and peripheral mononuclear cells contribute to the raised serum MCP-1 concentrations.ALDalcoholic liver diseaseMCPmonocyte chemoattractant proteinMIPmacrophage inflammatory proteinPBMCperipheral blood mononuclear cellILinterleukinELRglutamine-leucine-arginineTIPSStransjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shuntASTaspartate aminotransferase