Effect of carbon tetrachloride intoxication and ethanol ingestion on interferon production in mice

Sixty C3H/He male mice were divided into 6 groups (10 mice per group). Control mice (group I) received three injections of PBS and drinking water. Mice of group II were injected with PBS but drinking water was substituted by ethanol solutions with increasing concentration of ethanol (w/v): 6% during the first week of experiment, 10% during the second and 20% during the third week. Group III received three intraperitoneal injections of CCl4 (1 ml of CCl4 per 1 kg of body weight) and water for drinking. Group IV was treated with CCl4 as group III, but drinking water was substituted by ethanol solutions with increasing concentrations as in the group II. Samples of blood, liver and spleen were taken 24 h after the third acute CCl4 intoxication. Group IIIa and IVa were treated as group III and IV, respectively, but samples of blood and organs were taken a week after the last CCl4 injection. A typical increase in serum ALT and necrosis of hepatocytes as confirmed by the histological examination, was observed 24 h after CCl4 injections (group III and IV). A week later (group IIIa and IVa) regenerative changes in the liver and a significant decrease in ALT serum activity was observed. Acute CCl4 intoxication (group III) significantly decreased IFN production in liver and spleen cells isolated 24 h after the last CCl4 injection. Combined CCl4 and ethanol administration affected very strongly IFN production (group IV).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)