STIMULATION OF MONOCYTE INTERLEUKIN-8 BY LIPID-PEROXIDATION PRODUCTS - A MECHANISM FOR ALCOHOL-INDUCED LIVER-INJURY

Interleukin-8 (IL-8), an inflammatory cytokine that promotes neutrophi l accumulation, has been implicated in the pathogenesis of alcoholic l iver disease but the mechanism of its production is unknown. The abili ty of lipid peroxidation products, also implicated in alcoholic liver disease, to stimulate IL-8 production was studied because of their all eged role in alcoholic liver disease. Peroxidized fatty acids (arachid onic and linolenic) as well as microsomal membranes stimulated IL-8 pr oduction by peripheral blood monocytes whereas ethanol and acetaldehyd e did not. Hydrocortisone (5 mu g/ml) prevented the IL-8 stimulation b y peroxidized fatty acids. Ethanol-induced lipid peroxidation may seco ndarily further alcohol-induced liver injury through IL-8 chemotaxis o f neutrophils. Published by Elsevier Science Inc.