Transforming growth factor-β1 and tumor necrosis factor-α concentration in serum during disturbed lymph flow from a...

In the last decades an increasing attention has been devoted to the role of lymphatic system in pathomechanism. The disturbed lymph flow from a liver contributes to liver fibrogenesis and probably to hepatocirrhosis. Cytokines play a major role in the development of hepatic fibrosis, the wound-healing response of the liver to chronic injury. Cytokines in hepatic fibrogenesis may be pro- or antifibrogenic. Transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1) is pro-fibrogenic cytokine and plays a key role in liver fibrogenesis. Interferon-γ (INF-γ) is anti-fibrogenic by downregulating hepatic stellate cell activation. We described the negative correlation between tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and IFN-γ concentration in serum during disturbed lymph flow from a liver of rats. TNF-α plays a antifibrogenic role in liver fibrogenesis too. Male Albino Wistar rats weighing 250 - 300 grams were selected for the experiment. The animals were kept in stable condition and were fed a standard diet with no fluid restriction. The rats were divided into 3 groups: group B - mechanical insufficiency was obtained by ligation of hepatic trunc, group K - underwent sham operation, group 0 - rats not subjected to any surgery. The animals were sacrificed for experiment in 1, 3, 7, 14, 21, 28, 35, 56 and 103 day after operation. During experiment TGF-β1 and TNF-α concentration in serum were assayed. We observed a positive correlation between TGF-β1 and TNF-α concentration in serum. During disturbed lymph flow from the liver TNF-α plays probably a antifibrogenic role in liver fibrogenesis.