Immunotherapy for nonalcoholic steatohepatitis using the multiple cytokine production modulator Y-40138.

Abstract

AIM:

To investigate the possible use of the multiple cytokine production modulator, Y-40138, as a novel immunotherapy in the rat nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) model.

METHODS:

We allocated 6-wk-old male F344 rats to choline-supplemented, L-amino acid-defined (CSAA) diet (control group), CSAA diet + Y-40138 (control + Y-40138 group), choline-deficient, L-amino acid-defined (CDAA) diet (NASH group), or CDAA diet + Y-40138 (NASH + Y-40138 group). In each group, we measured the plasma alanine aminotransferase (ALT) levels, and the plasma and liver levels of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha), interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma), and interleukin-10 (IL-10). Tissue specimens of phosphate buffered saline-perfused liver were subjected to hematoxylin and eosin staining, Azan staining, Sirius red staining, and immunohistochemical staining (for Kupffer cells and TNF-alpha). We then extracted Kupffer cells from the collagenase-perfused livers using the Percoll gradient centrifugation method, and measured the TNF-alpha levels in the supernatant (in vitro TNF-alpha production by Kupffer cells) using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay kit.

RESULTS:

In comparison to the NASH group, serum ALT elevation was mild, production of serum and liver TNF-alpha and IFN-gamma was inhibited, and IL-10 production was increased in the NASH + Y-40138 group. Amelioration of liver histology was also noted in the NASH + Y-40138 group. Kupffer cell immunohistochemical staining revealed no differences between groups, whereas TNF-alpha immunohistochemical staining showed fewer stained cells in the NASH + Y-40138 group than in the NASH group. The TNF-alpha levels in the in-vitro Kupffer cell culture supernatant were lower in the NASH + Y-40138 group than in the NASH group.

CONCLUSION:

Administration of Y-40138 to NASH model rats reduced hepatic inflammation and suppressed fibrosis. These results indicate that the multiple cytokine production modulator, Y-40138, is promising as a novel treatment for NASH.

• Authors: Tatsuhiro Tsujimoto, Hideto Kawaratani, Toshiyuki Kitazawa, Hitoshi Yoshiji, Masao Fujimoto, Masahito Uemura, Hiroshi Fukui
• Journal: World journal of gastroenterology (World J Gastroenterol) Vol. 15 Issue 44 Pg. 5533-40 (Nov 28 2009) ISSN: 2219-2840 [Electronic] United States
• PMID: 19938191 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)

Chemical References

• Acetamides
• Cytokines
• Piperazines
• Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha
• Y 39041
• Interleukin-10
• Interferon-gamma
• Alanine Transaminase
• Collagenases

Topics

• Acetamides (pharmacology)
• Alanine Transaminase (blood)
• Animals
• Collagenases (chemistry)
• Cytokines (antagonists & inhibitors, blood)
• Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay (methods)
• Fatty Liver (therapy)
• Immunohistochemistry (methods)
• Immunotherapy (methods)
• Interferon-gamma (blood)
• Interleukin-10 (blood)
• Kupffer Cells (drug effects)
• Male
• Piperazines (pharmacology)
• Rats
• Rats, Inbred F344
• Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha (blood)