CHANGES IN 2',5'-OLIGOADENYLATE SYNTHETASE-ACTIVITY, BETA-2-MICROGLOBULIN AND NEOPTERIN DURING ACUTE TRANSAMINASE EXACERBATIONS IN HEPATITIS-BVIRUS CLEARANCE

We have investigated the relation between acute-like transaminase exac erbations and the induction of 2',5'-oligoadenylate (2-5A) synthetase activity, HLA-I associated beta2-microglobulin and macrophage activate d release of neopterin during hepatitis B virus clearance in 70 patien ts treated or not with interferon. In treated patients who had an exac erbation in ALT during HBV clearance (loss of HBeAg and HBV-DNA from s erum), the activity of the enzyme 2-5A synthetase and the level of bet a2 microglobulin increased markedly (p < 0,05). In contrast, in the ab sence of a peak in ALT during HBV clearance following interferon admin istration, the levels of 2-5A synthetase activity and neopterin, but n ot of beta2-microglobulin, rose significantly (p<0,05). Neither the no n-responder treated patients nor the untreated controls had significan t changes in these parameters, irrespective of the transaminase levels . Thus, elimination of viremia after interferon treatment may occur by different pathways as reflected by the presence or absence of acute-l ike biochemical exacerbations.