Endotoxin-induced liver injury and changes in the levels of plasma tumor necrosis factor-alpha and interleukin-6 in rabbits.

ELISA was employed to detect changes in plasma TNF-alpha and IL-6 level in rabbits having endotoxin-induced generalized Shwartzman reaction. Liver injury was assessed by the increase of serum ALT and hepatic histopathologic changes. The results showed that plasma TNF-alpha and IL-6 levels increased remarkably 12h after intravenous injection of endotoxin twice at a 24h interval, and these changes corresponded with the degree of liver injury. Coinjection of dexamethasone and endotoxin partly prevented the elevation of TNF-alpha and IL-6 levels and reduced liver injury. These results indicated that TNF-alpha and IL-6 were involved in endotoxin-induced liver injury.