OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect and clinical significance of glucocorticoid on CD4+CD25+ regulatory T cells (Tregs) in patients with hepatitis B virus (HBV)-related pre-liver failure. METHODS: The subjects of this study included 78 patients with pre-liver failure induced by HBV (cases) and 24 healthy individuals (controls). Among the 78 cases, 42 received glucocorticoid treatment and 36 did not. Between-group differences in Tregs (in peripheral blood) were evaluated by flow cytometry and statistical analysis. RESULTS: Two weeks of glucocorticoid treatment led to an increase in Treg level compared to baseline (before therapy: 2.76 ± 0.73 vs. 3.88 ± 1.60). In addition, after the two weeks of glucocorticoid treatment, the Treg level of improved patients was significantly higher than that measured at baseline (before therapy: 2.70 ± 0.77 vs 3.97 ± 1.59, P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Glucocorticoids up-regulate the expression of Treg cells, which may contribute to the immunological mechanism that protects pre-liver failure patients from deterioration of their condition. Careful inspection and monitoring of Treg levels may help improve prognosis of these patients.
OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect and clinical significance of glucocorticoid on CD4+CD25+ regulatory T cells (Tregs) in patients with hepatitis B virus (HBV)-related pre-liver failure. METHODS: The subjects of this study included 78 patients with pre-liver failure induced by HBV (cases) and 24 healthy individuals (controls). Among the 78 cases, 42 received glucocorticoid treatment and 36 did not. Between-group differences in Tregs (in peripheral blood) were evaluated by flow cytometry and statistical analysis. RESULTS: Two weeks of glucocorticoid treatment led to an increase in Treg level compared to baseline (before therapy: 2.76 ± 0.73 vs. 3.88 ± 1.60). In addition, after the two weeks of glucocorticoid treatment, the Treg level of improved patients was significantly higher than that measured at baseline (before therapy: 2.70 ± 0.77 vs 3.97 ± 1.59, P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Glucocorticoids up-regulate the expression of Treg cells, which may contribute to the immunological mechanism that protects pre-liver failurepatients from deterioration of their condition. Careful inspection and monitoring of Treg levels may help improve prognosis of these patients.
Authors: Y R Zhang; B Li; C X Wang; N Zhou; W Qi; X L Li; L Y Wu; S F Wei; Y D Zhang Journal: Braz J Med Biol Res Date: 2017-03-02 Impact factor: 2.590