[Dipeptidyl peptidase IV of peripheral blood lymphocytes in patients with primary biliary cirrhosis]

Investigations concerning changes of dipeptidyl-peptidase IV-positive (DP IV+) lymphocytes in the peripheral blood (PBL) were undertaken in 22 patients with primary biliary cirrhosis (PBC) under therapy with ursodeoxycholic acid (750 mg/day). We found that after 4-8 weeks of therapy the number of DP IV+ PBL was raised from an initially low, suppressed level of 5-12% to 18-33% corresponding to the range observed in healthy subjects. Concurrently liver function parameters of the patients were significantly improved. The identity of DP IV+ CD 26+ peripheral T-cells could be shown by the combination of cytochemical DP IV-staining with the indirect immuno-fluorescence of the lymphocyte marker CD 26. These results show that the UDCA-therapy in patients with PBC has a direct effect on the immune system and a positive influence on the immuno-regulative capacity.