2',5'-Oligoadenylate synthetase activity in the liver and peripheral blood mononuclear cells of chronic hepatitis patients.

The in vivo activity of the interferon (IFN) system was studied in 39 patients with chronic hepatitis B (CHB) and in 24 patients with chronic hepatitis type non-A, non-B (CHNANB). 2',5'-Oligoadenylate synthetase (2-5 A synthetase) activity was monitored in the liver and peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs). Liver 2-5 A synthetase activity was higher in HBeAg-positive CHB and CHNANB patients than in HBeAg-negative CHB patients or controls. The IFN system appeared to be preserved in CH patients. In HBeAg-positive CHB patients the changes in DNA-P activity indicated that PBMC 2-5 A synthetase activity depended on replication of hepatitis B virus(HBV). Exogenous IFN administration in patients with HBeAg-positive CHB significantly elevated 2-5 A synthetase activity in PBMCs, as well as in the liver. In measurement of 2-5 A synthetase activity of CHB patients, the IFN system seems to be important in regulating HBV replication and in the exacerbation of liver inflammatory activity.