[Role of porphyrins in the development of alcohol-induced liver lesions]

To specify the role porphyrins play in the development of diffuse liver injuries, 53 patients with alcohol-induced liver injuries were examined. Of these, 17 patients manifested marked derangement of porphyrin metabolism. As a result of clinico-biochemical, immunological and morphological research methods, it is established that marked derangement of porphyrin metabolism manifesting itself in porphyrin deposition in hepatocytes and in the high level of uro and coproporphyrinuria is associated with the development of autoimmune reactions towards liver-specific lipoprotein, which determines the development of the grave forms of liver injury in patients who abuse alcohol.