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Activated Lymphocytes (CD25 + CD69 + Cells) and Decreased CD19 + Cells in Well‐Nourished Chronic Alcoholics without Ethanol‐Related Diseases
Author(s) -
Sacanella E.,
Estruch R.,
Gayà A.,
FernándezSolà J.,
Antúnez E.,
UrbanoMárquez A.
Publication year - 1998
Publication title -
alcoholism: clinical and experimental research
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.267
H-Index - 153
eISSN - 1530-0277
pISSN - 0145-6008
DOI - 10.1111/j.1530-0277.1998.tb03886.x
Subject(s) - cd19 , il 2 receptor , chronic alcoholic , lymphocyte , antigen , immunology , ethanol , chronic alcoholism , cd69 , transferrin receptor , medicine , receptor , endocrinology , biology , immune system , t cell , biochemistry
To assess lymphocyte subsets and expression of activation antigens in peripheral blood lymphocytes (PBLs) in chronic alcoholism, a cross‐sectional study with 30 well‐nourished chronic alcoholics and 30 controls was performed. Studies included detailed clinical and laboratory evaluation, nutritional status assessment, and determination of lymphocyte subpopulations, as well as activation antigens. A significant decrease of B cells (CD19 + ) was observed in chronic alcoholics, compared with controls ( p < 0.001). A significant increase of PBLs expressing CD69 and CD25 ( p < 0.01, both) in chronic alcoholics was also detected, whereas CD71 expression was unaffected. In addition, T lymphocytes expressing HLA‐DR were significantly higher in chronic alcoholics than controls ( p < 0.05). The serum level of soluble interleukin‐2 receptor was also significantly higher in the alcoholic group, compared with controls ( p = 0.04). Moreover, the estimated total lifetime dose of ethanol consumed correlated positively with the percentage of PBLs expressing CD25 ( r = 0.48; p = 0.01) and negatively with PBLs expressing CD71 ( r = ‐0.39; p = 0.04). By contrast, the changes were not related to age, nutritional status, or the presence of other ethanol‐related diseases. In conclusion, chronic alcoholics present a significant decrease of B cells and an “incomplete activation state” of PBLs that depends on the dose of ethanol consumed.