[Effect of interferon alpha on liver fibrosis in patients with chronic hepatitis B].
OBJECTIVE
To observe the histological changes in the fibrotic and inflammatory tissues in response to interferon alpha treatment in patients with chronic viral hepatitis B.


METHODS
Sixteen patients with chronic viral hepatitis B in S3-S4 stages established by pathological examination were treated with interferon alpha for 6-9 months, and the degree of liver fibrosis and inflammation were examined 3 times during the treatment. The expression of Fas, transforming growth factor beta1 (TGFbeta1) and HBcAg in the liver tissues were detected by immunohistochemistry, and DNA fragmentation was examined by TUNEL assay. The levels of the serum markers for liver fibrosis and liver function were also measured.


RESULTS
Patients with liver fibrosis in S3-S4 stages had high pathological expression of Fas and TGFbeta1 with severe DNA damage in the liver tissues. After 3 months of interferon therapy, the expression of Fas and TGFbeta1 were lowered (P<0.05), and further treatment till 3-9 months resulted in gradual decrease in the degree of hepatic fibrosis and cell apoptosis (P<0.05), with improved serum liver fibrosis indices and liver function.


CONCLUSIONS
Interferon alpha may alleviate liver fibrosis and suppress cell apoptosis in patients in S3-S4 stages after a 6- to 9-month continuous treatment.
Yu
Hong
H
Department of Hepatopathy, Bethune International Peace Hospital of PLA, Shijiazhuang 050082, China. yuhong7@163.com
Cao
Zhi-chen
ZC
Geng
Jian-ying
JY
He
Zhan-guo
ZG
Wang
Zheng-min
ZM
Sun
Xiao-yun
XY
Wang
Zhong-hua
ZH
D000328:Adult; D017209:Apoptosis / Q000187:drug effects*; D005260:Female; D019694:Hepatitis B, Chronic / Q000150:complications / Q000628:therapy*; D006801:Humans; D016898:Interferon-alpha / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008099:Liver / Q000473:pathology; D008103:Liver Cirrhosis / Q000209:etiology / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016212:Transforming Growth Factor beta / Q000097:blood; D019014:fas Receptor / Q000097:blood
D016898:Interferon-alpha; D016212:Transforming Growth Factor beta; D019014:fas Receptor