A non-hepatotropic parasite infection increases mortality in the acetaminophen-induced acute liver failure murine model: possible roles for IL-5 and IL-6

Mem Inst Oswaldo Cruz. 2016 Dec;111(12):757-764. doi: 10.1590/0074-02760160311. Epub 2016 Oct 31.

Abstract

We evaluated the effects of a non-hepatotropic parasite infection (Taenia crassiceps) on the outcome of acetaminophen-induced acute liver failure in mice. Uninfected and T. crassiceps infected mice orally received either 300 mg/kg acetaminophen or water as vehicle (n = 5 per group). Survival analysis, hepatocyte necrosis, alanine aminotransferase (ALT) levels, CYP2E1 protein, interleukin (IL-) 5, and IL-6 were assessed for all groups. All infected mice died within 16 h after exposure to acetaminophen (Tc+APAP group), whereas only one-third of uninfected animals exposed to acetaminophen (APAP group) died. Uninfected (Control group) and infected (Tc group) mice that received the vehicle showed no liver damage. Tc+APAP mice exhibited massive liver necrosis characterised by marked balloning degeneration of hepatocytes and higher serum ALT compared to Control, Tc, and APAP animals. Liver tissue from Tc+APAP mice also displayed increased expression of CYP2E1 protein and higher mRNA and protein levels of IL-5 and IL-6 compared to the other groups. These findings suggest that non-hepatotropic parasite infections may increase mortality following acute liver failure by promoting hepatocyte necrosis via IL-5 and IL-6-dependent CYP2E1 overproduction. This study identifies new potential risk factors associated with severe acute liver failure in patients.

MeSH terms

  • Acetaminophen* / administration & dosage
  • Alanine Transaminase / blood
  • Analgesics, Non-Narcotic* / administration & dosage
  • Animals
  • Biomarkers / blood
  • Cytochrome P-450 CYP2E1 / biosynthesis
  • Cytochrome P-450 CYP2E1 / blood
  • Disease Models, Animal
  • Female
  • Hepatocytes / parasitology
  • Hepatocytes / pathology
  • Interleukin-5 / blood
  • Interleukin-6 / blood
  • Liver Failure, Acute* / chemically induced
  • Liver Failure, Acute* / mortality
  • Liver Failure, Acute* / parasitology
  • Liver Failure, Acute* / pathology
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred BALB C
  • Mice, Inbred C57BL
  • Taeniasis / parasitology*
  • Taeniasis / pathology

Substances

  • Analgesics, Non-Narcotic
  • Biomarkers
  • Interleukin-5
  • Interleukin-6
  • Acetaminophen
  • Cytochrome P-450 CYP2E1
  • Alanine Transaminase