Study on changes and mechanisms of cytokines for alloxan-induced hepatic injury by Cr3+-treatment in mice

[摘要] This study investigated the effects of treatment with trivalent chromium (Cr³⁺) on the cytokine levels in mice that had alloxan-induced hepatic injury. The results showed that chromium picolinate (CrPic) may have a protective effect against hepatic injury and that these effects might be related to changes in cytokine expression. Blood ALT and AST levels in the alloxan mice were higher than those in the control and CrPic-treated groups (no significant differences between the latter groups). Luminex assays of cytokines from Th1 (TNF-α, IL-2 and IL-9) and Th₂ (IL-3, IL-5, IL-6, IL-10, IL-13) - as well as G-CSF, M-CSF, and GM-CSF-demonstrated increased levels of TNF-α, IL-2, and IL-9 (55.10%, 1.05-fold, and 2.14-fold, respectively) in alloxan-treated mice compared to control mice. Further, compared to the control group, liver IL-3, -5, -6, -10, and -13 levels were decreased 2.45-fold, 1.54-fold, 1.01-fold, 12.6% and 37.3%, respectively, in the alloxan-treated mice. In comparison to the control mice, the levels of G-CSF, M-CSF and GM-CSF were decreased in the alloxan-treated mice (25.2%, 49.5%, and 52.9%, respectively). These cytokines were increased 7.91-fold, 43.67% and 34.05%, respectively, in the CrPic-treated group. These findings suggest that Th1/Th2 type cytokines are involved in hepatic injury and induced by alloxan, which may provide a new possible therapeutic approach through CrPic-treatment.

[学科分类] 分子生物学，细胞生物学和基因

[关键词] Cytokines