[A study of the relationship between tryptophan metabolism and hepatic pathologic changes in chronic viral hepatitis]

The results of intravenous tryptophan tolerance test and its relationship with hepatic pathologic changes were studied in 47 patients with chronic viral hepatitis (CVH). It is shown that patients with CVH whether chronic persistent hepatitis (CPH) or chronic active hepatitis (CAH), the average value of total tryptophan were above 97 mumol/L (normal less than or equal to 85 mumol/L). There was no significant difference between the CPH and CAH groups (P greater than 0.05). In CPH, the value of free tryptophan (F) was all normal (normal less than or equal to 7.5 mumol/L), but in CAH, the average value of F was above 8 mumol/L. There was much difference (P less than 0.01) between the two groups. Moreover, there was also significant difference between the mild and severe CAH groups (P less than 0.05). It is found that retention of intravenous F is closely related to the degree of hepatic tissue necrosis the presence of balloon cells and acidophilic bodies as well as the severity of intralobular and portal inflammatory reaction.