Effect of low dosage of interferon on natural killer activity in patients with HBsAg-positive chronic active hepatitis.
The effect of human leukocyte interferon (IFN) on natural killer (NK) activity in 7 patients with HBsAg-positive chronic active hepatitis was investigated. Human leukocyte IFN was intramuscularly given once a week for 4 consecutive weeks (10 X 10(5), 5 X 10(5), 2 X 10(5) and 1 X 10(5) U). 1 week after the initial injection, NK activity showed a significant rise compared with the preinjection levels (p less than 0.001) and remained elevated during the 1-month treatment, while it fell after the cessation of IFN therapy. 4 of 5 patients showed a marked decrease in Dane particle-associated DNA-polymerase activity. Serum HBeAg disappeared in 3 of 6 patients and serum transaminase levels markedly improved in all patients. Only a transient reduction in HBsAg was observed in 2 patients after the treatment period. The findings indicate that a low dosage of human leukocyte IFN such as 18 X 10(5) U, administered in decreasing doses, enhances NK activity in patients with HBsAg-positive chronic active hepatitis, and that the effect of IFN is involved in the immune mechanisms associated with natural cytotoxicity.
D000328:Adult; D000410:Alanine Transaminase / Q000097:blood; D001219:Aspartate Aminotransferases / Q000097:blood; D004259:DNA-Directed DNA Polymerase / Q000097:blood; D005260:Female; D006509:Hepatitis B / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000276:immunology*; D006514:Hepatitis B Surface Antigens; D006513:Hepatitis B e Antigens; D006521:Hepatitis, Chronic / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000276:immunology*; D006801:Humans; D007370:Interferon Type I / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D007694:Killer Cells, Natural / Q000276:immunology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged
D006514:Hepatitis B Surface Antigens; D006513:Hepatitis B e Antigens; D007370:Interferon Type I; D001219:Aspartate Aminotransferases; D000410:Alanine Transaminase; D004259:DNA-Directed DNA Polymerase