Natural killer cell activity in post-necrotic cirrhotic patients as related to hepatitis-B virus infection and plasma zinc levels.

In view of the suggested physiological role of natural killer (NK) cells in immunosurveillance and defence against viral infections, we have investigated the relationship between hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection and NK activity against K-562 cells in patients with post-necrotic cirrhosis. Overall, the NK activity in cirrhotic patients did not differ from age- and sex-matched controls. However, cirrhotic males with evidence of HBV infection with or without HBs antigenemia tend to have lower NK activity than controls. Cirrhotic males without evidence of HBV infection do not differ from controls. Such a trend was not observed in the female cirrhotic patients examined. In addition significantly reduced NK activity was observed in cirrhotic patients with low plasma zinc levels. This relationship is of interest because of the known association between zinc deficiency and various immunodeficiencies.