Abstract:
Introduction: HBV infection remains enigma of hepatology
despite is widespread and involves estimated 13.3 million adult
people in important social and economic consequences.
Aim of the study: In the context of the functioning mechanisms
of adaptation to chronic stress, such as chronic HBV infection
was considered important to study pituitary-adrenal axis.
Material and methods: One hundred and ten patients with
chronic hepatitis (CH) HBV have been evaluated during the
study, in dependence on the viral infection phase were formed
three groups: I – HBeAg+ (21), II – antiHBe+, minimal activity
(56), III – antiHBe+, moderate/maximum activity (24). Thirty
healthy individuals served the control group. The corticotropin
and cortisol kinetics was studied in all groups fasting and in
the dynamics of the authors’ glucose and euphylline stimulation
test at 60 and 120 min.
Results: Corticotropin level in patients of I group after 60 min
of stimulation presented an impaired appearance without characteristic
burst featured for healthy individuals, (P < 0.01). III
group differed from control data from the very beginning
(P < 0.05), having the exactly opposite ACTH pattern at 2 point
of the test (P < 0.01). In HBeAg + group observed a significant
increase in cortisol initial data (P < 0.01), with an inversion of
the response to stimulation at 2 point (P < 0.01) with no return
to normal values (P < 0.01). The same pattern was observed in
II group, that differs in hormonal lower values at 2 and 3 points
of the test (P < 0.01, P < 0.01, P < 0.01). The III group presented
significantly higher cortisol values at all points of the study
(P < 0.01, P < 0.01, P < 0.01).
Conclusions: ACTH and cortisol kinetics impairment was
found in relation to the viral infection phase and disease activity.
Description:
Scientific Laboratory of Gastroenterology, State University
of Medicine and Pharmacy “N.Testemitanu”, Chisinau,
Republic of Moldova