Background/aims: Liver cirrhosis, described as the endstage of a necroinflammatory process, is often accompanied by ascites formation. The rationale for this study was the hypothesis that patients with liver cirrhosis have a low-grade chronic inflammatory response, which leads to an increased amount of proinflammatory cytokines accumulated in ascites. Twenty-five patients with liver cirrhosis complicated by ascites and twelve healthy volunteers were prospectively included in the study.
Methodology: Ascites and blood samples from the patients were obtained for analysis of inflammatory cytokines using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay methodology. Blood samples were taken from the healthy volunteers to obtain reference values.
Results: Plasma and ascites concentrations of interleukin-1alpha, interleukin-6, and tumor necrosis factor-alpha were significantly elevated in the patients compared with plasma levels in the group of healthy controls. Significant elevation of interleukin-10 concentrations was found in ascites but not in plasma in the patients. There was no significant difference in interleukin-10 levels between patient and control plasma.
Conclusions: The findings suggest that elevated cytokine concentrations in ascites and serum could perpetuate an inflammatory reaction that may be a source of preservation of an ongoing systemic inflammatory reaction. This may contribute to the maintenance, and even progress, of the liver dysfunction, leading to exaggerated ascites development.