The peripheral blood lymphocyte subpopulations in chronic anti-HCV-positive liver disease: their significance and correlation with liver function
Rocco, P.; Biceglia, O.; Paceli, M.; Minerva, A.; De Biasio, M.C.; De Crescenzo, O.D.; Forte, G.B.
Minerva Gastroenterologica E Dietologica 42(2): 51-55
1996
ISSN/ISBN: 1121-421X PMID: 8962906 Document Number: 465499
To evaluate the role played by the immune system in the outcome of chronic C virus infection, we studied the peripheral blood lymphocyte subsets in patients with chronic hepatitis C and the correlation with the hepatic function assessed by the lidocaine test. To this end the peripheral lymphocyte subpopulations were enumerated by flow cytometry in 36 patients we had undergone a liver biopsy, prior the interferon therapy. The patients were classified as having severe chronic hepatitis with or without cirrhosis (17 subjects = group A) and mild/moderate chronic hepatitis without cirrhosis (19 subjects = group B). Twelve patients in group A and 9 in group B underwent the lidocaine test. The mean percentages of the lymphocyte subsets were not different in the two groups and in comparison with a standard healthy population, with the exception of okdr+ lymphocytes; they were significantly increased in group A (p = 0.04). The production of the lidocaine metabolite at 30 minutes prove, significantly decreased in patients with severe hepatic disease (p = 0.02), but there is no correlation between the decline of liver function and the peripheral increase of the okdr+ lymphocytes (r = 0.1877). It is probable that the increase in okdr+ lymphocytes, due to activated T-cells, is subordinated to the persistent viremia but it is independent of histological damage.