ASSAY OF SERUM INTERLEUKIN-8 LEVELS IN PATIENTS WITH ALCOHOLIC HEPATITIS

Studies were performed to evaluate the role of interleukin 8 (IL-8) in the pathogenesis of alcoholic hepatitis. Using a recently developed s ensitive and specific enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, we measured s erum IL-g levels in patients with alcoholic hepatitis. The mean serum IL,8 level was increased significantly in patients with alcoholic hepa titis compared with normal controls (P < 0.05). It was of interest to note that serum IL-g levels were increased transiently after abstinenc e from alcohol in patients with alcoholic hepatitis. These findings su ggest that there may be a correlation between IL-8 and alcoholic hepat itis.