Abstract
Interleukin-4 (IL-4) demonstrates properties in vitro that suggest an anti-inflammatory role in the immune response, one of which is the inhibition of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF) release. We examined the effects of IL-4 administration on mortality and serum TNF levels in two murine models of peritonitis. Animals infected with intraperitoneal injections of Escherichia coli and Bacteroides fragilis (acute peritonitis) had a decreased mortality and earlier TNF-α peak when pretreated with 5,000 units IL-4. Animals infected with bacteria and a sterile fecal adjuvant (chronic peritonitis) had no alteration in mortality or serum TNF levels (which were consistently low) with IL-4 pretreatment. These data demonstrate that, under some in vivo conditions, IL-4 can significantly ameliorate a septic insult, but this effect appears to be highly model-dependent and not clearly related to its effects on TNF-α.
Original language | English (US) |
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Pages (from-to) | 119-123 |
Number of pages | 5 |
Journal | European Surgical Research |
Volume | 28 |
Issue number | 2 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - Jan 1 1996 |
Keywords
- Interleukin-4
- Peritonitis
- Tumor necrosis factor