The relationship between peripheral blood T lymphocytes and liver function, as well as HBV DNA, in patients with chronic hepatitis B

Abstract

Abstract: Objective To explore the correlation between peripheral blood T lymphocyte subsets and liver function, as well as HBV DNA in patients with chronic hepatitis B (CHB). Methods Between March 2022 and March 2024, 70 patients with a diagnosis of CHB were included in this study from the People's Hospital of Linquan County, Anhui Province. Based on HBV DNA levels, patients were categorized into a high viral load group (36 cases) and a low viral load group (34 cases), alongside a healthy control group (n=40). Peripheral blood T lymphocyte subsets were measured for all participants, and liver function indicators along with HBV DNA were recorded. Pearson correlation analysis was employed to examine the relationship between peripheral blood T lymphocytes and liver function indicators, as well as HBV DNA. Results Patients in the high-load group exhibited the lower levels of CD4⁺ (42.17±5.40%) and Albumin (Alb, 31.21±4.13 g/L) compared to those in the low-load group (CD4⁺: 45.08±6.13%, Alb: 36.32±5.26 g/L) and the control group (CD4⁺: 48.50±5.29%, Alb:45.83±6.15 g/L). Furthermore, the levels of CD8⁺ (29.50±3.30%), CD4⁺CD25⁺ (35.09±6.12%), Alanine Aminotransferase (ALT, 62.86±9.25 U/L), Aspartate Aminotransferase (AST, 59.35±6.08 U/L), and Total Bilirubin (TBil, 37.19±3.27 μmol/L) were higher in the high-load group than in the low-load group (CD8⁺: 23.82±3.76%, CD4⁺CD25⁺: 30.57±5.41%, ALT: 37.52±5.30 U/L, AST: 35.72±5.17 U/L, TBil: 19.61±4.43 μmol/L) and the control group (CD8⁺: 21.26±3.16%, CD4⁺CD25⁺: 26.75±3.34%, ALT: 18.35±3.11 U/L, AST: 16.22±3.23 U/L, TBil: 9.21±2.65 μmol/L). The HBV DNA level (7.48±2.09 lgIU/mL) in the high-load group was higher than that in the low-load group (5.53±1.11 lgIU/mL) (P<0.05). Pearson correlation analysis revealed that CD4⁺ levels were significantly negatively correlated with ALT, AST, TBil, and HBV DNA, and positively correlated with Alb. The CD8⁺ and CD4⁺CD25⁺ levels were significantly positively correlated with ALT, AST, TBil, and HBV DNA, and negatively correlated with Alb (P<0.05). Conclusion The subsets of peripheral blood T lymphocytes in patients with CHB are closely related to liver function indicators and HBV DNA levels, serving as important immunological markers for assessing disease progression and prognosis.

Key words: Chronic hepatitis B, T lymphocyte subsets, Liver function, HBV DNA, Correlation

WANG Qian, GAO Cui-hua. The relationship between peripheral blood T lymphocytes and liver function, as well as HBV DNA, in patients with chronic hepatitis B[J]. Chinese Hepatolgy, 2025, 30(5): 655-658.

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