There is increased tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF) activity in alcoholic hepatitis (AH).

OBJECTIVE

To examine the effects of antioxidants and glutathione enhancing agents on NF-kappaB activation and TNF production in Kupffer cells and monocytes.

METHODS

Isolated rat Kupffer cells and peripheral blood monocytes from AH patients were treated in vitro. NF-kappaB activation was assessed by electrophoretic mobility shift assay and TNF was measured in cell culture supernatants.

RESULTS

Monocytes from AH patients had greater TNF production compared to normal volunteers. Pretreatment with antioxidants or gluathione enhancing agents inhibited TNF production and NF-kappaB activation in both monocytes from normal and AH patients as well as in rat Kupffer cells.

CONCLUSIONS

There may be a therapeutic role for antioxidants or glutathione enhancing agents in disease states with increased TNF activity such as AH.