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The immunomodulatory effects of the antibiotic sodium fusidate (SF) were tested in a model of T cell-dependent hepatic injury that can be induced in normal mice by a single i.v. injection of Con A. Signs of hepatitis with elevated transaminase activities in plasma, severe infiltration of the liver by neutrophil granulocytes, lymphocytes and monocytes, and necrotic areas were observed in control mice treated intraperitoneally with PBS 24h and 1h before Con A challenge. T cell- and macrophage-derived cytokines (IL-2, interferon-gamma (IFN-γ), tumour necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), IL-1β, IL-6) were released with different kinetics in the circulation of these mice. SF, 20, 40 or 80 mg/kg, administered 24 h and 1 h before Con A challenge, protected the mice against the hepatitic effects of Con A. The protective effects of SF were dose-dependent and accompanied by profound modifications of blood levels of cytokines induced by Con A. so that, relative to control mice. SF (80mg/kg)-treated animals showed markedly diminished plasma levels of IL-2, IFN-γ and TNF-α, along with augmented levels of IL-6. These results suggest that SF might be useful in the treatment of immunoinflammatory liver diseases in humans. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]