Cytokines and alcoholic liver disease.

Chemical messengers called cytokines play an important role during the body's initial response to infection (i.e., acute inflammation). Cytokines attract and activate components of the immune system, promote blood clotting, and facilitate the release of additional chemical messengers. In addition, cytokines induce the liver to shift its physiological function, emphasizing inflammatory and immune responses at the expense of normal metabolism. Alcohol consumption may cause excessive cytokine production in the liver, leading to inflammatory liver disease. Researchers are seeking ways to moderate the toxic effects of cytokines while sparing their protective functions.