CYTOKINES AND ALCOHOLIC LIVER-DISEASE

Chemical messengers called cytokines play an important role during the body's initial response to infection (i.e, acute inflammation). Cytok ines attract and activate components of the immune system, promote blo od clotting, and facilitate the release of additional chemical messeng ers. in addition, cytokines induce the liver to shift its physiologica l function, emphasizing inflammatory and immune responses at the expen se of normal metabolism. Alcohol consumption may cause excessive cytok ine production in the liver, leading to inflammatory liver disease. Re searchers are seeking ways to moderate the toxic effects of cytokines while sparing their protective functions.