[Initiative factors of the damage sensitive stage of hepatocytes induced by interferon in patients with chronic hepatitis B].
OBJECTIVE
To probe into the initiative factors of the damage sensitive stage of hepatocytes induced by interferon in patients with chronic hepatitis B (CHB).


METHODS
Forty-four CHB patients with positive HBeAg and HBV DNA were treated with interferon. Serum ALT and viral markers levels of HBsAg, HBeAg, anti-HBc and HBV DNA were examined regularly. Liver biopsy was carried out just before the treatment.


RESULTS
The rate of HBeAg seroconversion was 75% at the sixth month, and 68.2% after one year of follow up. The rate of damage sensitive stage of hepatocytes was 47.7%. The average onset time was (3.14+-1.49) weeks after the treatment, and lasted for (8.24+-3.52) weeks. The ALT level raised (1.73+-1.13) times. The occurrence of damage sensitive stage of hepatocytes was indicator for good curative effect (Fisher exact probability, P=0.028). Damage sensitive stage of hepatocytes was more often developed in patients with moderate inflammation, overexpression of HBcAg in liver and higher level of HBeAg in blood stream before treatment. HBeAg and anti-HBc levels in peripheral blood decreased in the onset period of damage sensitive stage of hepatocytes.


CONCLUSIONS
The initiative factors of the damage sensitive stage of hepatocytes may be: HBeAg decreasing in peripheral blood induced by interferon may dismiss immune lutation of HBeAg and anti-HBc to cytotoxic T lymphocyte (CTL), which recognize HBcAg as target, thus activates the cytotoxicity of HBV-infected hepatocytes mediated by CTL.
Peng
Xiao-mou
XM
Department of Infectious Diseases, Third Affiliated Hospital, Zhongshan University, Guangzhou 510630, China.
Lei
Chun-liang
CL
Huang
Yang-su
YS
Gu
Lin
L
Yao
Ji-lu
JL
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000410:Alanine Transaminase / Q000097:blood; D000998:Antiviral Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005260:Female; D006513:Hepatitis B e Antigens / Q000097:blood; D019694:Hepatitis B, Chronic / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D006801:Humans; D016898:Interferon-alpha / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008099:Liver / Q000473:pathology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D013602:T-Lymphocytes, Cytotoxic / Q000187:drug effects
D000998:Antiviral Agents; D006513:Hepatitis B e Antigens; D016898:Interferon-alpha; D000410:Alanine Transaminase