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Serum β 2 ‐microglobulin levels in primary biliary cirrhosis
Author(s) -
Nyberg Anders,
Lööf Lars,
Hällgren Roger
Publication year - 1985
Publication title -
hepatology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 5.488
H-Index - 361
eISSN - 1527-3350
pISSN - 0270-9139
DOI - 10.1002/hep.1840050222
Subject(s) - primary biliary cirrhosis , medicine , gastroenterology , cirrhosis , primary sclerosing cholangitis , alcoholic liver disease , hepatitis , alcoholic hepatitis , beta 2 microglobulin , liver disease , biliary cirrhosis , disease , autoimmune disease
Serum β 2 ‐microglobulin (β 2 μ) was determined in 44 patients with primary biliary cirrhosis (PBC) and in 63 patients with other liver disorders. β 2 μ levels were elevated in PBC when compared with chronic persistent hepatitis, primary sclerosing cholangitis and noncirrhotic alcohol liver disease, but not in comparison with chronic active hepatitis and alcoholic liver cirrhosis. With the exception of chronic persistent hepatitis, all liver disorders had significantly increased serum concentrations of β 2 μ when compared with controls. A significant correlation between β 2 μ and erythrocyte sedimentation rate (p < 0.001) and β 2 μ and serum IgG (p < 0.05) was found in PBC. No significant difference in β 2 μ levels was noted when PBC patients with early and late histopathological changes were compared. D‐penicillamine treatment significantly (p < 0.01) but transiently reduced β 2 μ levels in PBC; this may reflect the presumed immunosuppressive action of this drug.