Serum α1-Antitrypsin Levels in Alcoholic Hepatitis

Abstract

Serum α₁-antitrypsin concentrations have been measured in 68 patients with liver disease. High mean values (359 ± 18.0) were found in patients with alcoholic hepatitis whereas patients with acute viral hepatitis and chronic active hepatitis did not show any significant differences from the controls. In a group of patients with both alcoholic hepatitis and acute pancreatitis the mean value (218 ± 5.8) was significantly lower than in the control group. The mechanism for the reduction of serum α₁-antitrypsin levels in this group remains to be clarified but low serum α₁ -antitrypsin may be due to increased proteolytic enzyme concentrations in acute pancreatitis.