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Physiological potential of cytokines and liver damages

Fathia A. Mannaa, Khaled G. Abdel-Wahhab

Department of Medical Physiology, National Research Centre, Dokki, Cairo 12622, Egypt.

ABSTRACT
Cytokines are soluble extracellular small molecular weight protein or peptide. They are produced by virtually every nucleated
cell type in response to injurious stimuli to control body metabolism, infection, inflammation and tissue or neuronal damage;
therefore acting as messengers between tissues and the immune system; and participating in many physiological processes
through their either anti-inflammatory or pro-inflammatory characteristics. Many cytokines have multiple cellular sources and
targets, as well as many natural inducers and inhibitors. In pathophysiological conditions and during the early phase of
chronic liver diseases, agent like virus, bacteria, parasites, ethanol, or toxins, induce secretion of cytokines at high levels.
The presence of cytokine antagonists and soluble cytokine receptors, often released in concert with their respective cytokine
agonist, presents additional complexity to interpretation.

Key words: Cytokines; liver diseases; oxidative stress; inflammation

Address for correspondence:
Prof. Fathia A. Mannaa, Department of Medical Physiology, National Research Centre, Dokki, Cairo 12622, Egypt. E-mail: fathia_98@yahoo.com
Received: 12-10-2015, Accepted: 01-03-2016

Prof. Fathia A. Mannaa
Professor of Medical Physiology, Medical Physiology Department, National Research Centre, Egypt.
Fields of interest deals with the study on the physiological and immunological changes of different
diseases in experimental animal’s models and the possibility of developing an appropriate treatment
especially from natural product.

INTRODUCTION consequences, such as inflammation, proliferation,
and angiogenesis. [4]
Cytokines are small molecular weight proteins
or peptides messengers between tissues and Many cytokines have multiple cellular sources
the immune system and participate in many and targets, as well as many natural inducers and
[1]
physiological processes. They are either poor anti- [5]
[2]
inflammatory, suppress the activity and production inhibitors. They are produced to control infection,
of pro-inflammatory signals limiting inflammation inflammation and tissue or neuronal damage. The
and host damage; or pro-inflammatory, induce inflammatory ones are fundamental regulators of
inflammation as a result of infection or injury. body metabolism. [6]
[3]
Different cytokine combinations give rise to distinct
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DOI:
10.20517/2394-5079.2015.58 How to cite this article: Mannaa FA, Abdel-Wahhab KG. Physiological
potential of cytokines and liver damages. Hepatoma Res 2016;2:131-43.

© 2016 Hepatoma Research | Published by OAE Publishing Inc. 131