QUININE INHIBITS RELEASE OF TUMOR-NECROSIS-FACTOR, APOPTOSIS, NECROSIS AND MORTALITY IN A MURINE MODEL OF SEPTIC LIVER-FAILURE

We investigated the effect of quinine on liver injury induced by lipop olysaccharide in mice sensitized with D-galactosamine. This model is c haracterized by high systemic release of tumor necrosis factor, which mediates hepatic apoptosis and necrosis. Pretreatment with quinine, a K+ channel blocker, prevented formation of tumor necrosis factor (TNF) as well as the subsequent hepatic DNA fragmentation and liver enzyme leakage. Thus, inhibition of K+ channels may be a novel therapeutic ap proach in cytokine-related organ damage.