Autoantibodies and Immunoglobulins in Patients with Alcoholic Cirrhosis

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Abstract
In order to evaluate the possible relation between hepatic function and hemodynamics and the increased humoral immune response of cirrhotic patients, titres of antinuclear antibodies (ANA) and smooth muscle antibodies (SMA) and concentrations of immunoglobulin (Ig) G, A and M were determined in 74 consecutive patients with alcoholic liver cirrhosis. Patients showed significantly (p < 0.05) increased prevalences of ANA and SMA and concentrations of Ig G, A and M when compared to controls. No significant correlations were found between titres of ANA or SMA and hepatic scan score, galactose elimination capacity, indo-cyanine green clearance, hepatic blood flow and wedged-to-free hepatic vein pressure. Hepatic scan score correlated directly (p = 0.38, p < 0.05) to IgA concentrations; wedged-to-free hepatic vein pressure correlated directly to IgG concentrations (p = 0.35, p < 0.05) and to IgM concentrations (p = 0.42, p < 0.01). No other significant correlations were found between Ig concentrations and variables of hepatic function or hemodynamics.

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