Oxidative stress in blood of patients with alcohol-related pancreatitis

To determine the possible role of oxidative stress in alcoholic pancreatitis, the authors measured the ability of blood neutrophils of 22 patients with acute and 20 patients with chronic alcoholic pancreatitis to produce superoxide anion (O2-) and hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), spontaneously and after in vitro stimulation with phorbol ester and compared it with that of neutrophils isolated from the blood of 16 healthy controls. In addition, they measured serum activities of superoxide dismutase, catalase, and the serum concentration of glutathione peroxidase (GPx). Phorbol ester-induced O2- and H2O2 production in neutrophils of patients with acute and chronic pancreatitis was greater than in controls, but these differences, except of superoxide anion production by neutrophils of patients with chronic pancreatitis, were not statistically significant because of large individual differences. Spontaneous resting production of O2- and H2O2 by neutrophils of patients with chronic pancreatitis was significantly greater than in the controls. Superoxide dismutase and catalase activity was greater in sera of both groups of patients with acute and chronic alcoholic pancreatitis than in controls, but GPx concentration was significantly less in the sera of patients with chronic pancreatitis. Impaired GPx production and increased production of O2- and H2O2 by neutrophils may result in increased lipid peroxidation and could play a role in the pathogenesis of chronic alcoholic pancreatitis.

Serum levels of cytokines in alcoholic liver cirrhosis and pancreatitis

Although altered cytokine homeostasis has been implicated in the pathogenesis of both alcoholic liver and pancreas diseases, the serum cytokine pattern characteristic of concomitant alcoholic liver cirrhosis and pancreatitis has not been examined. In this paper we examine the serum levels of proinflammatory cytokines, such as IL-6, IL-8, TNF-alpha, and also antiinflammatory ones, such as IL-10 and TGF-beta, in 22 patients with alcoholic liver cirrhosis and 28 patients with chronic pancreatitis and compare them with those detected in the sera of 14 patients with concomitant alcoholic cirrhosis and pancreatitis. All patients were heavy alcohol drinkers, consuming more than 70 g of pure alcohol per day for at least 5 years. The control group consisted of 33 age- and sex-matched healthy subjects receiving an annual health examination. They were not addicted to alcohol and confirmed to be free of major cardiopulmonary, gastrointestinal and hepatobiliary-pancreatic diseases. The results indicated that the cytokine pattern in the sera of patients with concomitant liver cirrhosis and pancreatitis was characterized by increased levels of two proinflammatory cytokines: TNF-alpha, the concentration of which seemed to be influenced by both liver and pancreas injury, and IL-6, which seemed to be rather connected with pancreas injury. Increased levels of IL-8, which were detected in the sera of patients with cirrhosis, pancreatitis and concomitant cirrhosis and pancreatitis, were rather connected with exacerbation of the disease processes which occurred only in some of the patients. No significant changes in the levels of IL-10 or TGF-beta were detected in the sera of patients with chronic pancreatitis and concomitant cirrhosis and pancreatitis, while in patients with cirrhosis significantly decreased levels of IL-10 were found. A significant imbalance between proinflammatory/antiinflammatory signals was especially characteristic of alcoholic cirrhosis and concomitant cirrhosis with pancreatitis.

Serum cytokine levels in alcohol-related liver cirrhosis

Chronic alcoholism complicated by alcoholic liver disease is characterized by activation of the inflammatory response system. To evaluate the role of cytokines in the progress of alcoholic cirrhosis, we assessed serum level of the proinflammatory cytokines tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha), interleukin (IL)-6, and IL-8 and the antiinflammatory cytokines IL-2, IL-10, and transforming growth factor (TGF)-beta in patients with compensated and decompensated alcoholic liver cirrhosis. Compensated alcoholic cirrhosis was characterized by increased IL-6 (6.3+/-2.9 vs. HP 2.2+/-1.4 pg/ml in controls) and decreased IL-10 (HP 4.1+/-3.5 vs. 6.4+/-5.4 pg/ml in controls). TNF-alpha, IL-8, and TGF-beta1 levels were comparable to those found in controls. In sera of patients with decompensated alcoholic liver cirrhosis, besides increased IL-6 (11.2+/-7.7 pg/ml), increased concentrations of TNF-alpha (25.1+/-4.5 vs. 9.1+/-7.0 pg/ml in controls) and IL-8 (171.7+/-294.0 vs. 2.7+/-2.9 pg/ml in controls) were also detected. TGF-beta1 and IL-10 levels were similar to those found in controls. These results strongly indicate that a significant derangement of the balance between proinflammatory and antiinflammatory signals is characteristic of compensated and especially of decompensated alcoholic cirrhosis.

Alcohol-related cirrhosis with pancreatitis. The role of oxidative stress in the progression of the disease

To assess the level of oxidative stress, measured as prooxidant-antioxidant imbalance in the blood of patients with alcohol-related injury of the liver and pancreas, we determined superoxide ion (O2*-) production by neutrophils isolated from the peripheral blood of 3 groups of patients. Patients with compensated alcoholic liver cirrhosis (n=16), with alcoholic chronic pancreatitis (n=20), and with concomitant cirrhosis and pancreatitis (n=10) were included in this study. All patients had consumed at least 70 g of pure alcohol per day over 5 years. They had not abstained before admission to hospital. The control group consisted of 16 healthy non-alcohol-abusive subjects. As antioxidative enzymes (AOE) present in sera play a very important role in the regulation of plasma reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels and in the protection of plasma compounds against ROS action, we also examined the serum activity of catalase (CAT), superoxide dismutase (SOD), total activity, and the glutathione peroxidase (GPx) serum concentration. Neutrophils of patients with concomitant alcoholic liver cirrhosis and pancreatitis exhibited, similarly to the neutrophils of patients with chronic alcoholic pancreatitis, an enhanced ability to produce superoxide anions in vitro. In contrast, neutrophils of patients with alcoholic liver cirrhosis exhibited a defect in resting and PMA-induced superoxide anion production. The AOE activity in the sera of patients was also significantly changed. Total SOD activity was enhanced in all groups of patients with alcoholic liver cirrhosis, chronic pancreatitis and with concomitant injury of both organs. CAT activity was only increased in the sera of patients with liver cirrhosis or pancreatitis, but not in the patients with concomitant cirrhosis and pancreatitis. GPx concentration was only diminished in the patients with chronic pancreatitis. It seems likely that oxidative stress, defined as the imbalance between prooxidant and antioxidant activity, is highest in the blood of patients with chronic pancreatitis and, especially, in patients with concomitant liver cirrhosis and pancreatitis.

The inhibitory effect of zinc on cadmium-induced cell apoptosis and reactive oxygen species (ROS) production in cell cultures

The prevention of apoptosis by Zn(2+) is a well-known phenomenon. Both in in vitro and in vivo Zn(2+) supplementation prevents apoptosis induced by a variety of agents, among them by cadmium ions. The target for protective action of Zn ions on cell apoptosis is still unknown. In this paper we have evaluated the effect of in vitro ZnCl(2) supplementation at a concentration corresponding to the physiological level (10 microM) and higher (50 microM), on apoptosis induced with different Cd concentrations in two cell types: HeLa human tumor cell line and bovine aorta endothelial cells (BAECs). We demonstrated that Zn supplementation, especially at 10 microM concentration, significantly inhibited apoptosis in both types of cells. To assess the mechanism involved in the Zn effect we examined the influence of Zn supplementation on Cd accumulation in cells, Cd-induced superoxide anion (O(2)(-)) and hydrogen peroxide (H(2)O(2)) production. Zn caused 1.2-2.0-fold inhibition of Cd accumulation, 1.2-2.0-fold inhibition of Cd-induced apoptotic cell death, 1.1-2.0-fold decrease in reactive oxygen species (ROS) production in HeLa cells and in BAECs. These results indicate that inhibition of Cd-induced apoptosis in cells by Zn might be due, not only by inhibition of Cd accumulation in cells but, at least in part, to inhibition of Cd-induced production of ROS, which in turn are known as strong inducers of apoptosis.

The influence of cadmium and zinc ions on the interferon and tumor necrosis factor production in bovine aorta endothelial cells

The influence of CdCl(2), used at 1, 10 and 100 microM concentration, and ZnCl(2) at 1, 10 and 100 microM concentration on the production of interferon (IFN) and tumor necrosis factor (TNF) in bovine aorta endothelial cells (BAECs) was examined. BAECs were treated with cadmium ions or zinc ions alone or together with cytokine inducers: Newcastle disease virus (NDV) and lipopolysaccharide (LPS). Cadmium ions at 1 and 10 microM concentration, used alone induced a low, but detectable TNF activity in BAECs, and zinc ions at 1, 10 and 100 microM concentration induced both IFN and TNF activity. In contrast to that, cadmium added to BAECs together with the virus or LPS as cytokine inducers significantly inhibited the production of IFN and TNF. Cadmium effect depended on the concentration used, and 1 and 10 microM CdCl(2) partially, but 100 microM cadmium completely inhibited the production of both cytokines. Zinc ions at 1 and 10 microM concentration, which only slightly inhibited the production of both cytokines, did not reconstitute cadmium-depressed IFN and TNF production. These data indicate that cadmium-induced depression of cytokine production in bovine endothelial cells, in response to viral and bacterial stimuli, cannot be reversed by zinc supplementation.

The effect of steroidal and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs on the cellular immunity of calves with experimentally-induced local lung inflammation

We examined the effect of a single intravenous dose of flumetasone (SAID) and meloxicam (NSAID) treatment of calves with experimentally-induced localized lung inflammation on immunological and hematological variables such as total protein, gamma globulin, hemoglobin (Hb) concentrations, alkaline phosphatase activity, packed red cell volume (PCV), red blood cell (RBC) and white blood cell (WBC) counts. The influence of drug treatment on the phagocytic activity of WBC and bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) cells and their ex vivo ability to produce interferon (IFN) and tumor necrosis factor (TNF) after induction with Newcastle disease virus (NDV), as well as on the development of PHA-induced skin delayed hypersensitivity reaction was also determined. Two days after the treatment of calves with experimentally-induced local lung inflammation with flumetasone (5 mg per calf), we observed a significant increase in WBC count, especially neutrophils, and a decrease in gamma globulin concentration, in the percent of blood phagocytic cells and their random migration. Flumetasone treatment also inhibited the development of skin delayed hypersensitivity reaction. In contrast, the treatment of calves with meloxicam (50 mg per calf) did not influence any hematological parameters or skin reactivity. Both drugs, flumetasone and meloxicam, influenced TNF production in ex vivo cultures of blood and BAL cells, inhibiting excessive TNF production induced by local lung inflammation. Contrary to TNF, the treatment of calves with meloxicam and flumetasone enhanced ex vivo IFN production in blood and BAL cells. Histological examination of lung tissue revealed that in control calves (those not treated with anti-inflammatory drugs) and in calves treated with flumetasone, symptoms of stromo-purulent inflammation of pulmonary tissue developed. However, in calves treated with meloxicam, only interstitial inflammation with a slight thickening of interalveolar septa and infiltration of lymphoid cells was observed. These results suggest that in this model of pneumonia, it is more appropriate to use a single dose of meloxicam, rather than flumetasone, to modulate lung inflammation.

[Interferon gamma as a regulator of immune cell function]

The article reviews the literature with regard to identification of lymphocyte subsets that respond to specific inducers and produce IFN-gamma, the structure of IFN-gamma gene, the IFN signal transduction pathway that initiates biochemical changes at cellular level and influences the function of immunocompetent cells: mononuclear phagocytes, T and B lymphocytes. The interaction of IFN-gamma with other cytokines in regulation of immune response is also discussed.

Interferon gamma as immunomodulator in a patient with multiple myeloma

We describe here a patient with multiple myeloma, who, while in remission after chemotherapy, received 100 micrograms of rIFN-gamma (Imukin, Boehringer, Ingelheim) subcutaneously 3 times a week for 4 weeks as supportive therapy before autologous peripheral blood stem cell transplantation (PBSCT). The patient was monitored for serum IFN, TNF, IL-2 activities and for the ability of peripheral blood leukocytes (PBL) to produce IFN-alpha/beta, IFN-gamma, IL-2 and TNF-alpha after in vitro induction. Changes in the percent of plasma cells in the bone marrow, in the total and differential white blood cell counts, in T cell subsets and NK cells were also monitored. IFN-gamma yielded no clinical antitumor activity. The number of bone marrow plasma cells increased, however, the percentage of blood and bone marrow NK cells and the CD4/CD8 T cell subset ratio decreased. Monitoring the cytokine production ability of PBL during IFN-gamma therapy revealed an increase in IL-2, IFN-gamma and TNF-alpha titers produced upon in vitro induction after 2 weeks of treatment (6 injections of rIFN-gamma). However, after 9 injections there was a significant decrease in IFN-gamma and IL-2 production in the PBL, and at the end of therapy (12 injections) the decrease not only in IL-2 and in IFN-gamma but also in IFN-alpha production was observed. In contrast to these changes, TNF production was strongly enhanced and reached the level observed before the therapy. These data suggest that the schedule of IFN-gamma therapy in multiple myeloma should perhaps be adapted to become more effective, taking advantage from the immunomodulating activity of IFN-gamma.

Modification of bovine interferon and tumor necrosis factor production by lead in vivo and in vitro

Dairy cows were treated orally with lead 5 mg/kg of body weight every day during 4 weeks. Blood was taken before treatment and 3, 7, 14, 21, 28 days after first dose of lead and plasma interferon (IFN) and tumor necrosis factor (TNF) titers were assayed. The ability of cow's blood leukocytes to ex vivo production of IFN and TNF was also examined. Lead exposure caused a significant increase in the plasma level of both cytokines examined. Ex vivo blood leukocytes of lead-treated cows exhibited normal, comparable to controls, production of TNF, but decreased production of virus-induced IFN. When blood leukocytes of control cows, not treated with lead were induced in vitro to produce IFN and TNF in the presence of different concentrations of lead, a significant reduction in IFN titers was observed, but enhanced production of TNF. Such differentiated effect of lead on IFN and TNF production suggests that lead can influence the immunity by disregulation of the cytokine network.

Interferon and tumor necrosis factor production during endotoxemia in sheep

In humans endotoxemia has often been associated with the development of adult respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). Sheep have an abundant population of pulmonary intravascular macrophages, therefore they are a popular animal model for ARDS. In this study we characterized the temporal sequence and duration of the release of two cytokines: tumor necrosis factor (TNF) and interferon (IFN) and evaluated the effect of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) dose. Rectal temperature and white blood cell (WBC) count were also measured. Twenty four adult sheep were given E. coli endotoxin at a dose of 0 (saline solution) 0.05, 0.1 and 1.0 microg/kg of body weight by intravenous (i.v.) bolus. In all groups, TNF-alpha was produced earlier (3-4.5 h) after injection than IFN (4-5 h). No correlation between increased rectal temperature, the magnitude of leukopenia and time course of both cytokines production was observed. No straight relationship between LPS dose and the titer of cytokines was seen, but lower doses of LPS-induced delayed cytokine response in comparison to the dose 1 microg/kg of LPS. As IFN, present in the circulation of sheep, was mainly alpha/beta type, the role of this class of IFN in endotoxemia is discussed.

Modulating effect of interleukin 2 therapy on interferon production by blood leukocytes of patients with minimal residual hematological disease

This study was designed to investigate the effect of 1.8 x 10(6) U/day interleukin 2 (IL-2) therapy on interferon (IFN) production. Patients enrolled in the study suffered from multiple myeloma (MM), Hodgkin's disease (HD) and non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL). All of them were in remission after chemotherapy or radiotherapy. Results indicated that IL-2 given subcutaneously at a dose of 1.8 x 10(6) U/day for 3 weeks induced IFN-gamma in serum of patients and caused a prolonged effect on the ability of blood leukocytes to produce IFN-gamma after stimulation in vitro by mitogen phytohemagglutinin (PHA). Such enhancement of IFN-gamma production may be beneficial for antitumor immune response. Low-dose IL-2 therapy was well tolerated by all patients and side effects not exceeding II grade of toxicity according to WHO scale were observed. Five patients with MM have relapsed 3-10 months after cesation of IL-2 therapy but 15 patients 18 months after therapy were in complete remission.

Tumor necrosis factor and interferon activity in the circulation of calves after repeated injection of low doses of lipopolysaccharide

The effect of two intravenous (i.v.) injections of low doses of lipopolysaccharide (LPS)(0.1 microgram/kg of body weight) administered at 7-day intervals on the systemic release of tumor necrosis factor (TNF) and interferon (IFN), on the rectal temperature, breathing and heart rate, and on packed cell volume (PCV), plasma glucose concentration, white blood cell (WBC) counts in 3-week-old calves, was estimated. The first injection of LPS caused a significant increase in breathing and heart rate, rectal temperature, prolonged hypoglycemia and leukopenia, but no significant changes in PCV were observed. TNF and IFN activity peaked at 2 h after LPS injection and disappeared from circulation by 4 h and 5 h, respectively. After the second injection of LPS, the reaction of calves was similar to that observed after the first injection, however, the breathing rate and TNF systemic production were significantly reduced. The results obtained indicate that a low dose of LPS leads to the development of 'late' tolerance manifested by hyporeactivity to TNF production but with maintained responsivity to IFN production, pyrogenic, hypoglycemic and leukemic response to the second injection of LPS. In conclusion, these results demonstrate that the tolerance response is not universal to all hematologic and immunologic parameters, and that the response needs to be evaluated with respect to the specific variable.

Interferon and tumor necrosis factor production by peripheral blood leukocytes of patients with infectious mononucleosis

Blood samples from 29 patients with infectious mononucleosis (IM) in phases of acute disease and convalescence were obtained. Interferon alpha (IFN-alpha) and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha) activity was detected in sera of patients both in: acute and convalescence phase, however when IFN titers were higher in the acute than convalescence phase, TNF titers were the highest in convalescence. In the whole blood assay Newcastle disease virus (NDV), phytohemagglutinin (PHA) and concanavalin A (ConA) and lipopolysaccharide (LPS) were used as cytokine inducers. A significant decrease in IFN titer induced in vitro with NDV, PHA and ConA was observed in blood leukocytes of patients in the acute IM phase. In convalescence the ability of blood leukocyte of IM patients to produce IFN returned to normal, comparable with control. However, blood leukocytes of IM patients in the acute phase produced more TNF in response to LPS than in convalescence. The role of the observed overproduction of TNF in the course of IM similar to that in HIV infection should be elucidated.

In vitro and in vivo interferon production by bovine colostral leukocytes

Sixteen healthy pregnant cows were divided into two groups. Group I (8 cows) received immediately after calving two injections of Vaccina L containing the LaSota strain of Newcastle Disease Virus (total dose 10(9) TCID50/cow) into udder lymph nodes. The second group of 8 cows served as control. Newborn calves of both groups of cows were allowed to suckle the colostrum. Interferon activity was detected 24 h after injection in whey obtained from colostrum of Vaccina L-treated dams and in supernatants of cultures of colostral leukocytes. Interferon was also present in sera of Vaccina L treated dams 48 h after injection. No IFN activity was detected in sera of calves. Cultures of leukocytes obtained from colostrum of dams 48 h after Vaccina L-treatment exhibited hyporeactivity to the second induction in vitro and produced low IFN levels in response to NDV. In contrast to hyporeactivity observed in colostral leukocytes, peripheral blood leukocytes (PBL) of calves suckling colostrum from dams treated with Vaccina L produced higher IFN levels after induction in vitro with NDV than leukocytes of control calves.

Phagocytosis-enhancing effect of lactoferrin on bovine peripheral blood monocytes in vitro and in vivo

The effect of lactoferrin (LF) on in vitro and in vivo phagocytic ability of bovine blood monocytes was studied. It was demonstrated that bovine LF enhanced in vitro phagocytosis of bacteria and ovine erythrocyte-antibody complexes and increased intracellular killing of Staphylococcus albus. Monocytes of colostrum deprived calves, which were intravenously injected with LF, also exhibited elevated phagocytic properties.

Suppression of interferon response of bovine leukocytes during clinical and subclinical ketosis in lactating cows

The influence of spontaneous ketosis on interferon alpha and gamma production in blood leucocytes and on PHA induced lymphocyte blastogenic response was investigated. Twenty three cows 4.13 +/- 2.8 weeks after calving were divided into three experimental groups on the basis of blood ketone bodies, glucose and free fatty acids concentrations. The leukocytes of cows with clinical symptoms and the highest concentration of ketones and free fatty acids in blood responded with the lowest levels of interferons alpha and gamma to three interferon inducers: Newcastle Disease Virus (NDV), phytohemagglutinin (PHA) and concanavalin A (ConA). Depression in interferon PHA stimulated synthesis correlated with a very low mitogenic response of blood lymphocytes. Blood leukocytes of cows with subclinical ketosis, characterized by mild clinical symptoms and a lower concentration of ketones in blood in comparison to cows with clinical ketosis, responded better to interferon and mitogenic stimulation; however, the interferon titer and blastogenesis were still lower than in leukocytes of healthy cows. Correlation between the stage of ketosis and the level of interferon production in milk leukocytes was also observed. A possible relationship between the suppression of interferon production in blood leukocytes and the increased concentration of ketone bodies in blood is discussed.