肝硬変における血中substance Pの変動と免疫学的意義 ： 特にIgA抗体産生の面より

Abstract

Serum levels of neuropeptide substance P (SP) were measured in patients with chronic liver diseases and its effect on the immunogloblin synthesis was investigated. Serum SP levels in patients with liver cirrhosis were significantly higher than those in patients with chronic hepatitis and in healthy subjects. Serum SP levels were positively correlated with ICG-R15 (r=0.82, P＜0.001), and were negatively correlated with cholinesterase (r=-0.69, p＜0.001), hepaplastin test (r=-0.68, p＜0.001) and thrombo test (r=-0.54, p＜0.01). Serum IgA levels in patients with liver cirrhosis were significantly higher than those in patients with chronic hepatitis and in healthy subjects. Serum IgA levels were positively correlated with serum SP levels. In vivo IgA antibody production in peripheral lymphocytes from patients with liver cirrhosis was increased, and it was positively correlated with serum SP levels. SP (10＾＜-9＞M) increased IgA antibody production in peripheral lymphocytes. Its effect was significantly greater in healthy subjects than in patients with liver cirrhosis. However, SP results in a partial restoration of IgA antibody production in peripheral lymphocytes from the patients with liver cirrhosis, when the lymphocytes were precultured in SP free medium for three days. In conclusion, the elevation of serum SP levels related to the impairment of liver functions and SP in blood could modulate IgA synthesis in liver cirrhosis.