Objectives: To study the role of macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF) in the pathogenesis of alcoholic liver diseases.
Design and methods: The levels of MIF in the sera were estimated by an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay in 13 patients with alcoholic hepatitis (ALH), 9 patients with alcoholic cirrhosis (ALC) and 26 normal controls. MIF was localized in the liver specimens by immunohistochemistry.
Results: The mean levels of MIF in the sera were significantly higher in ALH and ALC compared with the normal controls (p < 0.05). Serial observations revealed a relationship between serum MIF levels and the serum transaminase levels. MIF was expressed by the hepatocytes and by the infiltrating cells around the site of accumulation of neutrophils and ballooned hepatocytes in ALH.
Conclusions: This is the first report on MIF in human alcoholic liver diseases, and the data suggest that MIF may be related to abnormal cytokine homeostasis in ALH.