Hypothesis: antagonism to interferon as a possible cause of the deleterious effects of corticosteroids in HBsAg-positive chronic active hepatitis.
Corticosteroids hasten relapse and shorten survival of patients with HBsAg positive chronic active hepatitis. A hypothesis is advanced suggesting that the steroid hormones, acting as interferon antagonists, may compromise the establishment of a cellular anti-viral state. under such circumstances the hepatitis virus replicates undisturbed, is propagated from cell to cell and precipitates terminal liver failure at a faster rate. The hypothesis provides a theoretical basis for condemning the administration of corticosteroids to patients with HBsAg positive chronic active hepatitis.
D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones / Q000009:adverse effects*; D006509:Hepatitis B / Q000188:drug therapy*; D006514:Hepatitis B Surface Antigens / Q000032:analysis*; D006801:Humans; D007372:Interferons / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors* / Q000494:pharmacology
D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones; D006514:Hepatitis B Surface Antigens; D007372:Interferons