Determination of TNF-alpha and endotoxemia in patients with chronic liver diseases
Xie, J.; Lin, M.; Liu, A.; Fan, X.
Hunan Yi Ke da Xue Xue Bao 24(2): 164-166
1999
ISSN/ISBN: 1000-5625 PMID: 11938780 Document Number: 506171
The incidence of endotoxemia in 153 patients with different liver diseases was determined by Limulus Lysaite Test(LLT). Comparative studies were carried out on the levels of tumour necrosis factor-alpha(TNF-alpha) between positive and negative endotoxemia in patients suffering from chronic liver diseases. At the same time, 58 patients of positive endotoxemia were divided into two groups--bifidobiogen group (38 cases) and control group(20 cases). The patients in bifidobiogen group were treated mainly with daily administration of bifidobiogen for 1 month besides general liver--protection therapy and the bifidobiogen was not given to the control group. The results showed that: 1. Incidence of endotoxemia in 153 patients suffering from various types of liver diseases was 65.36%; the highest rate was found in the patients with severe hepatitis; 2. The TNF-alpha level was obviously increased in the patients of positive endotoxemia; 3. The total efficacy in bifidobiogen group was significantly higher than that in control group. The data suggest that chronic liver diseases are generally complicated with endotoxemia, and TNF-alpha plays an important role in the pathogenesis of endotoxemia. The serum endotoxin level may be reduced after the treatment with bifidobiogen.