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Lymphocyte subset alterations in patients with alcoholic hepatitis
G A Roselle1, C L Mendenhall, C J Grossman
1Veterans Administration Medical Center, Cincinnati, Ohio 45220.
Journal of Clinical & Laboratory Immunology
|August 1, 1988
Summary
Patients with alcoholic hepatitis (AH) show reduced CD4 helper cells. Nutritional supplementation and abstinence over 30 days improved CD4 cell counts and nutritional status in this study.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Hepatology
- Nutritional Science
Background:
- Alcoholic hepatitis (AH) is associated with malnutrition and immune dysfunction.
- Objective parameters are needed to quantify nutritional status and immune function in AH patients.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the relationship between alcoholic hepatitis, malnutrition, and immune status.
- To assess the reversibility of immune abnormalities through nutritional intervention.
Main Methods:
- Assessed nutritional status and lymphocyte phenotype/function in 23 AH patients.
- Administered oral nutritional supplementation to 12 patients for 30 days.
- Measured CD4, CD8, and CD3 lymphocyte counts and lymphocyte transformation tests.
Main Results:
- Significantly reduced CD4, CD8, and CD3 lymphocyte counts on admission compared to controls.
- CD4 cell counts increased after 30 days of nutritional supplementation and abstinence.
- Nutritional and protein depletion scores significantly improved with supplementation.
Conclusions:
- Patients with AH exhibit altered numbers of helper lymphocytes.
- Abstinence and nutritional supplementation can modify these immune abnormalities.
- Brief hospitalization with nutritional support shows promise for AH patients.