Influence of acute alcohol intake and alcohol withdrawal on circulating levels of IL-6, IL-8, IL-10 and IL-12.

Cytokine balance alterations are responsible for some of the systemic and h epatic manifestations of alcoholism. The present study was aimed to evaluat e the influence of both acute alcohol abstinence (in alcoholics) and acute alcohol intake (in healthy subjects) on serum IL-6, IL-8, IL-10, and IL-12 levels. Serum cytokine concentrations were determined on admission and afte r a median of 6 days of ethanol abstinence in 29 patients with alcohol with drawal syndrome. The same determinations were made in five healthy voluntee rs at baseline and after 36 h of a single 60 g-dose alcohol intake. Increas ed serum levels of IL-6, IL-10 and, to a lesser extent IL-8, declined in th e few days after alcohol abstinence in patients with alcohol withdrawal syn drome. Serum IL-8 values increased after alcohol intake in healthy subjects . Rapid variation of serum cytokine levels along with alcohol intake or abs tinence should be taken into account in cytokine studies in alcohol abusers . (C) 2000 Academic Press.