The Comparative Effects of Pentoxifylline and Ursodeoxycholic Acid on IL-1β, IL-6, IL-8 AND TNF-α Levels in Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver

Abstract

Objective: To investigate the comparative effects of the
pentoxifylline (PTX) and ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA)
on IL-1β, IL-6, IL-8 and TNF-α in non-alcoholic fatty liver
(NAFL) cases.
Method: Twenty-eight cases diagnosed to have NAFL
were included in our study. The cases were divided
into 3 groups. 20 mg/kg/day PTX was given to the
subjects in group A (6 male, 4 female), 15 mg/kg/ day
UDCA was given to the subjects in group B (5 males, 5
females) for 6 months. The cases in group C (5 male, 3
female) were followed as control group. The
biochemical values and cytokine levels of the cases
were evaluated before and at the end of the sixth month
of the treatment.
Results:  When compared with the serum cytokine
levels before and after the treatment, IL-8 and TNF-α
levels were found to be significantly decreased both
in group A and group B (p< 0.05), whereas there was
no statistically significant change in IL-1β and IL-6
levels (p > 0.05).
Conclusion: While PTX and UDCA significantly
decreased the serum IL-8 and TNF-α levels in NAFL,
their effects on IL-1β and IL-6 were not significant.
Key words: Non-alcoholic fatty liver, pentoxifylline,
ursodeoxycholic acid, cytokines

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