Changes in the number of gut mucosal T-lymphocytes and macrophages in patients treated by external biliary drainage.
OBJECTIVE
To examine the changes in the number of T cells and macrophages in the mucosal lamina propria in the presence or absence of bile in the gastrointestinal tract.


METHODS
Clinical study.


METHODS
University hospital, Japan.


METHODS
6 patients with obstructive jaundice who had external biliary drainage (drainage group) and 6 patients with no signs of obstructive jaundice (control group).


METHODS
Gastrointestinal specimens were taken at the time of operation.


METHODS
The number of CD4+ T cells, CD8+ T cells and CD68+ macrophages in the lamina propria mucosae in each group measured immunohistochemically.


RESULTS
The numbers of CD8 T cells and CD68+ macrophages in the lamina propria of the patients treated by external drainage were significantly less than in the control group (p < 0.01). However, there was no difference in the number of CD4+ T cells between the groups (p = 0.45).


CONCLUSIONS
In the absence of bile, mucosal immune function fails as a result of reduced numbers of CD8+ T cells and macrophages.
Fukuoka
K
K
First Department of Surgery, Kobe University School of Medicine, Japan.
Ajiki
T
T
Miyazawa
M
M
Takeyama
Y
Y
Onoyama
H
H
Kuroda
Y
Y
D000368:Aged; D015496:CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology*; D018414:CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology*; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D002779:Cholestasis / Q000276:immunology / Q000628:therapy*; D004322:Drainage / Q000379:methods; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007124:Immunoenzyme Techniques; D007413:Intestinal Mucosa / Q000166:cytology* / Q000276:immunology; D008264:Macrophages / Q000276:immunology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged