Studies on lymphocyte subpopulations and NK cell activities in epileptic patients.

The subpopulations of T lymphocytes, B lymphocytes and macrophages of the peripheral blood in 58 cases of epilepsia were studied with McAb by IFA method. The activity of natural killer (NK) cells of peripheric blood monocyte was investigated by 51Cr-releasing method. 22 healthy donors of about the same age served as controls. The results showed that the percentage of T3 and T4 lymphocytes in epileptic patients was decreased, and the ratio of T4/T8 was markedly reduced as compared to control group. The percentage of T8 lymphocytes was increased. There were no significant changes in B lymphocytes and macrophages. The NK cell activity also showed decrease. The results suggested abnormality in cellular immunity in epilepsia, which may be involved in the pathogenetic mechanism of the disease.