Cytokine
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Experimental evidence suggests that interleukin (IL)-10 plays a pivotal role in generalized inflammation. Here we investigate the effects of IL-10 gene deletion on the acute phase of the multiple organ dysfunction syndrome (MODS) caused by zymosan in the mouse. MODS was induced by zymosan administration (500 mg/kg, suspended in saline solution, i.p.) in IL-10 wild-type and knockout mice; sham groups were treated with vehicle. ⋯ With regard to organ injury, absence of IL-10 enhanced the renal, hepatocellular and pancreatic dysfunction caused by zymosan administration. All of these parameters significantly influenced the systemic toxicity and the overall survival at 12 days, which was significantly lower in IL-10 knockout mice. Therefore, this study demonstrates that the absence of endogenous IL-10 enhances the MODS induced by zymosan in mice.