Correlation between circulating immune complex and liver-copper levels in the pathogenesis and development of primary biliary cirrhosis

Abstract

In order to examine the pathogenesis and development of primary biliary cirrhosis, we measured circulating immune complexes and liver-copper levels in 11 cases of asymptomatic primary biliary cirrhosis (group A) along with 6 cases of symptomatic primary biliary cirrhosis (group B).
Circulating immune complexes detected by the conglutinin solid phase method were found in 70 percent of group A, while 100 percent of the group B exhibited an exceedingly high concentration.
The mean liver-copper levels were 98±46μg/g dry liver for group A, and 1070±68.2μg/g dry liver for group B. A significant difference was obtained in the incidence of livercopper level between the two groups with primary biliary cirrhosis.
Corrleation between the circulating immune complex and liver-copper levels in primary biliary cirrhosis was examined. The circulating immune complex and liver-copper levels were frequently associated.
This result suggests that circulating immune complex and liver-copper levels may be important in the pathogenesis and development of primary biliary cirrhosis.