Interleukin-11 Protects Mouse Liver From Warmischemia/reperfusion(WI/Rp) Injury

Objective:Interleukin-11(IL-11)is a multifunctional cytokine that belongs to the Interleukin-6(IL-6)family.Previous studies have demonstrated that IL-11 has underlying anti-inflammatory and anti-apoptotic properties.In this study,we evaluated the potential effects of IL-11 on mouse liver WI/Rp injury.Methods:For in vivo experiments,mice were randomly divided into four main experimental groups(n=5 each):(1)normal group—anesthesia;(2)sham group—laparotomy;(3)I/R group—WI/Rp;and(4)IL-11 pretreatment(500 ?g/kg,tail vein injection)group—administration of RhIL-11 2 h before liver WI/Rp induced in the same manner as in group 3.For in vitro experiments,cells were divided into two groups:(1)H/R group—Hypoxia/Reoxygenation(H/R);and(2)IL-11 pretreatment group—pretreatment with RhIL-11(2 ?g/ml for 12 h)before the induction of H/R.For both groups,three periods of reoxygenation were examined(2 h,6 h,and 12 h).Results:(1)The liver transaminase levels in the IL-11 pretreatment group was significantly reduced,compared to that in the I/R group(P=0.0033;P=0.0003,respectively).(2)The cell hydropic and acidophilic degenerationin the IL-11 pretreatment group was significantly reduced,compared to that in the I/R group.(3)The release of Interleukin-6(IL-6)?Interleukin-1?(IL-1p)and Tumor necrosis factor-a(TNF-a)of blood serum and liver tissue were reduced in the IL-11 pretreatment group,compared to I/R group(P=0.0025;P=0.0159;P=0.0175;P=0.0076;P=0.0005;P=0.0004,respectively).(4)The cell apoptosis in the IL-11 pretreatment group was significantly reduced,compared to that in the H/R group.(5)Nuclear factor-kappaB(NF-?B),a target of IL-11,was suppressed in macrophages after IL-11 pretreatment.Conclusions:Pretreatment with IL-11 protects mouse livers from WI/Rp injury by suppressing NF-kB activity.