LYMPHOCYTE SUBPOPULATIONS IN ALCOHOLIC LIVER-DISEASE - INFLUENCE OF ALCOHOL, HEPATOCELLULAR DYSFUNCTION AND MALNUTRITION

Peripheral lymphocyte subpopulations have been quantified by a direct and indirect immunofluorescence technique, using monoclonal antibodies, in 22 patients with continued heavy drinking, hepatocellular dysfunction (spider angiomata, ascites and factor V decrease) (group I), in 16 patients with a history of heavy drinking and abstinence maintained for at least 6 mo. and hepatocellular dysfunction (group II) and in 28 patients admitted for continued heavy drinking, without hepatocellular dysfunction (group III). Sixteen normal subjects were studied as controls. The total number of lymphocytes and T lymphocytes (OKT3+) were significantly reduced (P < 0.001) in groups I and II. A significant decrease of B lymphocytes was observed in group II (P < 0.02). The OKT8+ lymphocytes were significantly reduced in group I (P < 0.01) and in group II (P < 0.001); the decrease of the OKT4+ lymphocytes was significant in group II (P < 0.01) only. The OKT4/OKT8 ratio was higher in group I (P < 0.05) and group II (P < 0.01) than in the control group. Normal values of total lymphocytes, B lymphocytes, T lymphocytes subsets and OKT4/OKT8 ratio were observed in group III. In group III, the lymphocyte subpopulations and OKT4/OKT8 ratio were similar in patients with or without abnormalities of liver function tests. In groups I and II, no correlation was found between the lymphocyte subpopulations or the OKT4/OKT8 ratio and factor V or nutritional stats assessed by anthropometrical and biological tests. T cell imbalance in alcoholic liver disease does not seem to be related to alcohol consumption, factor V decrease or malnutrition.