NLRP3 inflammasome activation in liver cirrhotic patients

Abstract Aims NLRP3 inflammasome activation is involved in the mechanism of liver cirrhosis. In this study, we investigated the levels of plasma IL-1β and IL-18 and their relationship to component traits in patients with liver cirrhosis, and NLRP3 inflammasome expression in liver of patients with liver cirrhosis. Methods A total of 75 patients with liver cirrhosis and 41 age-matched healthy control subjects were enrolled in this study. NLRP3 inflammasome expression and activation were measured in liver of patients with liver cirrhosis. Plasma IL-1β and IL-18 levels were examined by ELISA in patients with liver cirrhosis. Results Plasma IL-1β and IL-18 levels were also significantly higher in patients with liver cirrhosis than in control subjects. Plasma IL-18 levels were significantly positively associated with Child-Pugh classification, IL-1β levels, diastolic blood pressure, aspartate aminotransferase, total bilirubin, direct bilirubin, activated partial thromboplastin timealk and aline phosphatase. Plasma IL-18 levels were significantly negatively associated with albumin. NLRP3 and cleaved caspase-1 expression were increased in the livers of patients with cirrhosis compared with the livers of control subjects. Conclusions Plasma IL-1β and IL-18 levels were higher in plasma in patients with liver cirrhosis than in control subjects, and plasma IL-18 levels were significantly positively associated with Child-Pugh classification and IL-1β levels. In addition, NLRP3 and cleaved caspase-1 expression were increased in the livers of patients with cirrhosis.