ENDOTOXIN-INDUCED LIVER-INJURY AND CHANGES IN THE LEVELS OF PLASMA TUMOR-NECROSIS-FACTOR-ALPHA AND INTERLEUKIN-6 IN RABBITS

ELISA was employed to detect changes in plasma TNF-alpha and IL-6 leve l in rabbits having endotoxin-induced generalized Shwartzman reaction. Liver injury was assessed by the increase of serum ALT and hepatic hi stopathologic changes. The results showed that plasma TNF-alpha and IL -6 levels increased remarkably 12h after intravenous injection of endo toxin twice at a 24h interval, and these changes corresponded with the degree of liver injury. Coinjection of dexamethasone and endotoxin pa rtly prevented the elevation of TNF-alpha and IL-6 levels and reduced liver injury. These results indicated that TNF-alpha and IL-6 were inv olved in endotoxin-induced liver injury.