NASH model-- role of interleukin-1 receptor

Although the anti-inflammatory effect of interleukin-1 (IL-1) receptor antagonist (IL-1Ra) has been described, the contribution of this cytokine to non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) remains unclear. Our aim was to ascertain whether deficiency of IL-1Ra leads to hepatic inflammation and fibrosis upon consumption of an atherogenic diet. IL-1Ra deficient mice (IL-1Ra(-/-)) showed severe steatosis and pericellular fibrosis containing many inflammatory cells following 20 weeks of an atherogenic diet when compared with wild type (WT) mice. The hepatic histology of IL-1Ra(-/-) mice is similar to that of NASH.