Comparative characteristic of apoptosis of peripheral leukocytes at viral and autoimmune liver diseases

Aim of investigation. To compare a level of apoptosis of peripheral blood leukocytes at chronic hepatites (CH) B, C and autoimmune overlap syndrome (AOS) of autoimmune hepatitis and primary biliary cirrhosis.

Material and methods. To study level of apoptosis and pattern of DNA of peripheral blood leukocytes 54 patients with CH have been investigated. In 12 person CHB was diagnosed, in 22 – CHC, in 20 – AOS. The control group consisted of 20 healthy volunteers without symptoms of liver disease and with negative markers of HBV-and HCV-infections. In patients with CH and healthy persons quantity of lymphocytes and granulocytes of peripheral blood in apoptosis state immediately after extraction and after 24-hour incubation in culture medium by cytoflowmetry method, in patients with AOS – only spontaneous apoptosis of total leukocytic fraction was determined.

Results. At CH patients apoptosis of both lymphocytes and granulocytes was significantly higher in comparison to control immediately after extraction, as well as after 24-hour incubation. The number of leukocytes of peripheral blood in a state of spontaneous apoptosis in patients with AOS was also significantly higher in comparison to scores of control group (9,9±0,8 and 4,2±0,1, p< 0,05). Comparison of average levels of spontaneous apoptosis of total fraction of leukocytes showed absence of significant differences between CHB and AOS and CHC and AOS groups (p> 0,05).

Conclusions. The level of apoptosis of peripheral blood leukocytes at investigated patients significantly exceeds the level of apoptosis of these cells at healthy persons. In peripheral blood of patients with CH there are not only leukocytes at a state of apoptosis, but also apoptosis-committed cells, that is manifested by mononuclear and polymorphonuclear leukocytes apoptosis enhancement after 24-hour incubation in culture medium. Significant differences between a level of apoptosis of leukocytes of peripheral blood in patients with CHB, CHC and AOS were absent, that indicates a role of apoptosis as the unified mechanism of cell damage.

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