Protective Immune Mechanisms in Alcoholic Hepatitis

Study Overview
=================
Brief Summary
-----------------
The purpose of this study is to investigate the production, effects and interactions of the hepato-protective cytokine interleukine (IL)-22 in patients with alcoholic hepatitis.

Detailed Description
-----------------
The investigators will study hepatic biopsies from patients with alcoholic hepatitis. In these biopsies, the investigators will assess the production of IL-22 and which cells produce the cytokine. The investigators will study the expression of the IL-22 receptor and also the production of the IL-22 binding protein, which can inhibit the actions of the cytokine.

Official Title
-----------------
Protective Immune Mechanisms in Alcoholic Hepatitis

Conditions
-----------------
Alcoholic Hepatitis

Participation Criteria
=================
Eligibility Criteria
-----------------
Inclusion Criteria: Diagnosis of alcoholic hepatitis: relevant history of alcohol consumption (>40g/day for a minimum of 6 months with cessation of consumption no earlier than 3 months prior to admission) bilirubin > 80 mol/l neutrophil granulocytes > 10x10^9/L exclusion of other liver pathology including biliary disease histological verification on liver biopsy Written, informed consent Exclusion Criteria: Other chronic inflammatory or autoimmune diseases Severe, acute bacterial infection (peritonitis, sepsis, pneumonia, urinary tract infection etc.) Cancer Prednisolon or pentoxifylline treatment within the past 8 weeks Pregnancy

Ages Eligible for Study
-----------------
Minimum Age: 18 Years
Maximum Age: 69 Years

Sexes Eligible for Study
-----------------
All

Accepts Healthy Volunteers
-----------------
Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Study Plan
=================
How is the study designed?
-----------------

Arms and Interventions

| Participant Group/Arm | Intervention/Treatment |
| --- | --- |
| Alcoholic hepatitis<br>Patients with alcoholic hepatic; cases. | |
| Healthy controls<br>Persons undergoing hepatic resection; controls. | |

What is the study measuring?
-----------------
Primary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Frequency of IL-22-producing cells | This will be detected in hepatic biopsies taken at inclusion to the study. | at day 1 ( the day of diagnosis/arrival to the department) | 

Secondary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| IL-22 binding protein | This will be detected in hepatic biopsies taken at inclusion to the study. | at day 1 ( the day of diagnosis/arrival to the department) | 
| IL-22 receptor | This will be detected in hepatic biopsies taken at inclusion to the study. | at day 1 ( the day of diagnosis/arrival to the department) | 
| Signalling molecules and markers of hepatocyte destruction | Thse measurements will be done on blood samples drawn at inclusion, at day 7 and at day 90 after diagnosis. | at day 1, at day 7 and at day 90 after diagnosis. | 

 Terms related to the study
=================
Keywords Provided by Centre Hospitalier Valida
-----------------
Alcoholic hepatitis, IL-22, Kupffer cells