Biological responses to administered interferon in alcoholics.

To elucidate the influence of chronic alcohol intake on interferon (IFN) therapy in patients with various diseases, 3 million units of natural IFN (nHuIFN-alpha Ly) was administered once to alcoholics, nonalcoholic chronic hepatitis C (CH-C) patients, and healthy subjects. The serial changes of serum activity of 2'-5' oligoadenylate synthetase, serum levels of beta 2-microglobulin, C-reactive protein (CRP), and body temperature were monitored. The increase in the activity of 2'-5' oligoadenylate synthetase, the response of serum-reactive protein, and body temperature after IFN administration were significantly lower in the alcoholics than those in CH-C group, and healthy subjects (control group). The serum beta 2-microglobulin level was already higher in the alcoholics before IFN administration than those of the control group and the CH-C group. These findings suggest that physiological responses to exogenous IFN in alcoholics are generally decreased. Hence, for the maximum effect of IFN therapy, it is important for patients to abstain from alcohol intake and for doctors to carefully consider the timing of initiation.