Extracorporeal Irradiation of the Blood: Attempted Immunosuppressive Treatment of Active, Non-Alcoholic Cirrhosis

Abstract

Four patients with active, non-alcoholic cirrhosis and high serum gamma globulin levels were treated with extracorporeal irradiation of the blood (ECI) on the premise that the irradiation-induced lymphocytopenia might suppress the immune processes in the liver and thereby improve liver function. One patient died from a bleeding stomach ulcer. In the surviving patients an increase in galactose elimination capacity and prothrombin concentration was found; other liver function tests showed non-significant changes. Serum immunoglobulin concentrations and IgG turn-over rate were unaffected by the treatment. In 2 patients liver biopsy 3 months after ECI showed no change in lymphocyte and plasma cell infiltration. ECI thus cannot be considered a promising mode of treatment in active cirrhosis.

Key-words:

• Blood, radiation effects
• immunosuppressive agents
• liver cirrhosis
• liver function tests