The Role of Cytokines in the Pathogenesis and Treatment of Alcoholic Liver Disease

Overview

Journal Diseases

Date 2024 Apr 26

PMID 38667527

Authors

Giuseppe Guido Maria Scarlata

Carmen Colaci

Marialaura Scarcella

Marcello Dallio

Alessandro Federico

Luigi Boccuto

Ludovico Abenavoli

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

Alcoholic liver disease (ALD) is a major cause of chronic liver disease. This term covers a broad spectrum of liver lesions, from simple steatosis to alcoholic hepatitis and cirrhosis. The pathogenesis of ALD is multifactorial and not fully elucidated due to complex mechanisms related to direct ethanol toxicity with subsequent hepatic and systemic inflammation. The accumulation of pro-inflammatory cytokines and the reduction of anti-inflammatory cytokines promote the development and progression of ALD. To date, there are no targeted therapies to counter the progression of chronic alcohol-related liver disease and prevent acute liver failure. Corticosteroids reduce mortality by acting on the hepatic-systemic inflammation. On the other hand, several studies analyzed the effect of inhibiting pro-inflammatory cytokines and stimulating anti-inflammatory cytokines as potential therapeutic targets in ALD. This narrative review aims to clarify the role of the main cytokines involved in the pathogenesis and treatment of ALD.

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