Immunoglobulins in chronic alcoholics: relation to liver histology and effect of 2-month abstinence therapy

Serum immunoglobulin levels and alpha1-fetoprotein were measured in 49 male alcoholics entering an abstinence program. These parameters were evaluated in relation to liver histology. Of 49 studied alcoholics, 32 had elevated serum immunoglobulin levels, chiefly IgA, which occurred in 29 patients. IgA elevation was also observed in patients with normal histological picture of the liver. Of 17 alcoholics with normal immunoglobulin levels, in 9, i.e. 53%, liver histology was normal. In the group of 32 alcoholics with elevated immunoglobulin levles, normal liver histology was encountered only in 8 patients, i.e. 25%. Two-month abstinence in 18 alcoholics with previously elevated IgA levels caused their decrease in 12 patients, i.e. 66%. A decrease in IgA was noted even in patients with symptoms of histological worsening. Of 49 alcoholics, only 1 showed significantly elevated alpha1-fetoprotein.