2002 Volume 51 Issue 1 Pages 33-37
Background: Total serum IgE may be increased in alcoholics. IgE synthesis depends on B cell activation by Th2-type cytokines. Serum sCD30 has been proposed as a marker of Th2 responses. The aim of the present study was to evaluate serum sCD30 levels in alcoholics and their relationship with serum IgE values.
Methods: Twenty-five active alcoholics and 18 healthy controls were included in the study. All subjects were non-atopic (asymptomatic from the allergologic point of view and Phadiatop® (Phamacia & Upjohn Diagnostics AB, Uppsala, Sweden) negative). Serum IgE was measured by chemiluminescent enzyme immunoassay and serum sCD30 was assayed by ELISA.
Results: Total serum IgE was higher in alcoholics than in controls (median (range) for alcoholics and controls 59 (15.8-236) vs 24 (4-103) IU/mL, respectively; P = 0.003). Conversely, median serum sCD30 levels were lower in alcoholics than in controls (< 1 (< 1-144) vs 7.3 (< 1-83) U/mL, respectively; P = 0.02). Among the alcoholics, a negative correlation between serum IgE and sCD30 values was observed.
Conclusions: Increased serum IgE in non-atopic alcoholics is associated with low serum sCD30 concentrations. In so far as sCD30 is a marker of Th2 activation, total serum IgE elevation in alcoholics does not seem to be related to Th2 dominance.
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