Changes of helper T cell 17/regulatory T cells and cytokines in peripheral blood of rats with acute alcoholic liver injury and clinical significance

Abstract

Objective \nTo investigate the changes of helper T cell 17 (Th17)/regulatory T cell (Treg) cells and cytokines in peripheral blood of rats with acute alcoholic liver injury and the clinical significance. \n \n \nMethods \nThirty-six male SD rats were randomly divided into control group and model group. The animals in the model group were given 30°, 40° or 50° liquor at a dose of 10 ml/kg for 2 consecutive weeks, and those in the control group were given an equal volume of distilled water. The aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and total bilirubin (TBIL) levels in peripheral blood were determined using AST, ALT and TBIL test kits. The liver function damage was evaluated by hematoxylin and eosin (HE) staining. The expression of Th17 and Treg cells were analyzed by flow cytometry. The serum levels of interleukin (IL)-6, IL-17, tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), IL-10 and IL-35 were measured by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). \n \n \nResults \nAs compared with the levels of AST [(130.66±12.07) U/L], ALT [(60.49±6.20) U/L] and TBIL [(30.83±3.22) μmol/L] in control group, the AST [(195.61±20.74) U/L], ALT [(88.16±9.33) U/L] and TBIL (48.54±5.41) μmol/L levels in model group were significantly increased (t=3.419, 3.174 and 4.058 respectively, P<0.05). Pathological staining showed that the liver tissue of the model group was seriously damaged. As compared with the proportion of Th17 [(2.48±0.30)%], Treg [(7.74±0.79)%] and the Th17/Treg ratio (0.33±0.07) in control group, the proportion of Th17 [(5.87± 0.61)%] and Th17/Treg ratio (1.76±0.22) in model group was significantly increased [(5.87± 0.61)%], and the proportion of Treg cells was significantly decreased [(3.25±0.35)%, t=4.331, 4.428 and 5.663 respectively, P<0.01]. As compared with the expression of IL-6 [(28.06±3.03) ng/L], IL-17 [(21.39±2.63) ng/L], TNF-α [(70.56±6.99) ng/L], IL-10 [(25.67±2.42) ng/L] and IL-35 [(33.17±3.25) ng/L] in control group, the levels of IL-6 [(62.81±6.55) ng/L], IL-17 [(52.46±5.40) ng/L] and TNF-α [(161.17±17.32) ng/L] in model group were significantly increased in model group (t=4.220, 4.316, 4.207 and 3.574 respectively, P<0.05), and those of IL-10 [(15.72±1.70) ng/L] and IL-35 [(19.66±2.03) ng/L] were significantly reduced (t=3.618, P<0.05). \n \n \nConclusion \nThe imbalance of Th17/Treg cells and unusual expression of cytokines may play an important role in acute alcoholic liver injury. \n \n \nKey words: \nAcute alcoholic liver injury;\xa0Lymphocyte subset;\xa0Cytokines