title: Therapeutic effect of a low dosage of human leukocyte interferon on chronic hepatitis B virus infection.
abstract: A low dosage of human leukocyte interferon was intramuscularly given to 47 patients with hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) positive chronic active hepatitis 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). After treatment, a reduction of serum HBsAg was observed in 26 patients; 3 of them showed no serum HBsAg and 1 of the 3 appeared to produce antibody to HBsAg. 31 of 34 patients investigated showed a significant decrease in Dane particle-associated DNA-polymerase activity (p less than 0.001). Among 17 patients positive for hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg), 10 of them seroconverted to anti-HBe. Serum transaminase levels also significantly improved in 34 of 38 patients (p less than 0.001). Our findings indicate that a low dosage of human leukocyte interferon such as 18 X 10(5) U, administered in progressively decreasing doses, may be effective in the treatment of chronic hepatitis B virus infection.
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D004259:DNA-Directed DNA Polymerase / Q000378:metabolism; D005260:Female; D006509:Hepatitis B / Q000201:enzymology / Q000628:therapy*; D006514:Hepatitis B Surface Antigens / Q000032:analysis; D006513:Hepatitis B e Antigens / Q000032:analysis; D006515:Hepatitis B virus / Q000201:enzymology; D006521:Hepatitis, Chronic / Q000201:enzymology / Q000628:therapy*; D006801:Humans; D007370:Interferon Type I / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008297:Male; D000637:Transaminases / Q000097:blood
chemical_list: D006514:Hepatitis B Surface Antigens; D006513:Hepatitis B e Antigens; D007370:Interferon Type I; D000637:Transaminases; D004259:DNA-Directed DNA Polymerase