Effects of thymosin α1 on plasma TNF-α and IL-10 of rats with acute liver failure / 西安交通大学学报(医学版)

ABSTRACT

Objective To investigate the effects of thymosin α1 (Tα1) on plasma TNF-α and IL-10 of rats with acute liver failure.Methods The model of acute liver failure in rats was established.The rats in intervention group were injected with Tα1;their plasma ALT, AST and TBIL contents as well as plasma TNF-α and IL-10 levels were assayed at different time points for HE staining of liver sections.Results ① ALT, AST and TBIL in model group and intervention group increased over time.Plasma ALT, AST and TBIL were significantly lower in intervention group than in model group at the same time point (P<0.05).② Manifestations of acute liver failure such as structural disorder of liver tissue, obvious necrosis of liver cells and infiltration of inflammatory cells were observed in model group and intervention group, and worsened over time.At the same time point, liver cell necrosis and infiltration of inflammatory cells were less severe than those in model group.③ TNF-α and IL-10 were significantly higher in model and intervention groups than in control group (P<0.05).Plasma TNF-α and IL-10 showed a rising trend over time in the former groups (P<0.05).At the same time point, TNF-α was significantly lower but IL-10 was significantly higher in intervention group than in model group.Conclusion Thymosin α1 has a protective effect on acute hepatic failure in rats, and it can significantly alleviate liver inflammation and necrosis.The mechanism is related to inhibition of pro-inflammatory cytokine TNF-α and upregulation of anti-inflammatory cytokine IL-10.