Low serum levels of ?-interferon, ?-interferon, and interleukin-2 in alcoholic cirrhosis

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Abstract
The existence of cellular immune deficit in alcoholic cirrhosis, together with the role of α-and γ-interferon and interleukin-2 in the immune system, led us to compare serum levels of these immune system mediators in a group of 40 patients with alcoholic cirrhosis classified according to Child-Pugh's grade of severity of liver disease and 23 healthy volunteers. Serum levels of α-IFN, γ-IFN, and IL-2 were significantly depressed in alcoholic cirrhotics, with no significant differences between the different degrees of hepatic damage. The results suggest a profound alteration in the immune system of alcoholic cirrhotics, which may contribute to the development of the disease and the accompanying immune system deficit.