BACKGROUND:We aimed to explore the association between urinary alpha1-microglobulin (A1M) levels and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) in a Chinese population.STUDY:We performed a cross-sectional study among 2,215 Chinese who attended their annual health examination at First Affiliated Hospital, College of Medicine, Zhejiang University. Urinary A1M-creatinine ratio and other clinical and laboratory parameters were measured.RESULTS:A total of 20.9% of subjects fulfilled the diagnostic criteria of NAFLD. NAFLD subjects had significantly higher urinary A1M-creatinine ratios. These levels were positively associated with NAFLD prevalence. The association between A1M-creatinine ratio and NAFLD was independent of hyperglycemia status. Stepwise regression showed that urinary A1M-creatinine ratio was significantly associated with the risk for NAFLD. Urinary A1M-creatinine ratio was an independent factor predicting advanced fibrosis (FIB-4 ≥1.3) in NAFLD patients.CONCLUSIONS:Our results showed a significant association between urinary A1M-creatinine ratio and NAFLD.

Increased expression of HOXB7 has been reported to correlate with the progression in many cancers. However, the specific mechanism by which it promotes the evolution of gastric cancer (GC) is poorly understood.In this study, we sought to investigate the role of HOXB7 in GC by assessing HOXB7 expression in patient tissue and its correlation to clinical characteristics. We found that GC tissues showed increased expression of HOXB7 and that the HOXB7 expression was significantly associated with Lauren classification, invasion depth, lymphatic metastasis and poor prognosis, and could serve as an independent prognostic factor. To further investigate the role of HOXB7 in GC, we generated stable GC cell lines and both over-expressed and knocked down HOXB7 expression. Over-expression of HOXB7 in GC cell lines enhanced cell proliferation, colony formation, migration and invasion ability, whereas the opposite trends were observed upon reduction of HOXB7 expression by knockdown. These findings were further supported by our in vivo studies which show that HOXB7 expression can affect the GC cells' subcutaneous growth and lung metastases. A Phospho-MAPK Array Kit was used to explore the possible mechanism of HOXB7-induced cell proliferation and invasion. We found that the AKT signaling pathway and the two members of the MAPK pathway, were involved in those promoting effects. In conclusion, our results showed that increased expression of HOXB7 might play an important role in promoting GC proliferation, migration and invasion by inducing both AKT and MAPK pathways, thus resulting in progression of, and poor prognosis in GC patients.

Hyperuricemia is a strong and independent predictor of all-cause mortality in cardiovascular disease and has been found to play a role in diseases exacerbated by oxidative stress and inflammation. This study aimed to evaluate whether serum uric acid (UA) level is an indicator of outcome in patients with acute paraquat poisoning. A total of 205 subjects who had attempted suicide by oral ingestion of paraquat were admitted to the emergency room between January 2009 and June 2014. Initial serum UA level and other laboratory parameters were measured. A total of 66 patients died during the 30 days after admission, corresponding to a 32.2% cumulative incidence of mortality. UA levels were higher in non-survivors than survivors (P < 0.001) and 30-day mortality increased with increasing baseline serum UA level (P < 0.001). In a prediction analysis for 30-day mortality, the serum UA level had a cut-off concentration of 284 µmol/L in female patients and 352 µmol/L in male patients. Multivariate Cox proportional hazards regression analyses showed that white blood cell counts and UA were independent prognostic factors. In conclusion, we showed that serum UA may be an independent predictor of 30-day mortality in patients with paraquat poisoning.

To determine the effects of various pre-analytical variables on the values of activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT), D-dimers, fibrinogen (Fbg), prothrombin time (PT) and thrombin time (TT). Samples from 120 hepatitis B patients were divided into three groups based on storage time (0-24 h), mechanical agitation and separation into plasma. In all groups, samples were stored at room temperature and 4 C. The percentage changes compared to the baseline were calculated. Clinically relevant differences were defined as a more than 10% change. If less than 25% samples showed relevant differences, the effect of the preanalytical variable was considered moderate; if more than 25% of samples showed relevant differences, the effect was deemed large. Clinically relevant differences in APTT were found in separated samples stored for 24 h. No relevant differences were seen in the other test results. All tested pre-analytical variables had a moderate effect on the D-dimer, Fbg, PT and TT values. Storage for 24 h had a large effect on APTT. Coagulation test results were unaffected by temperature, storage time, mechanical agitation and sample separation. Specimens for D-dimer, Fbg, PT and TT tests could be stored for 24 h, and specimens for APTT could be stored for 8 h. Blood Coagul Fibrinolysis 25:761 764 2014 (C) Wolters Kluwer Health vertical bar Lippincott Williams & Wilkins.

Objective We investigated whether red cell distribution width (RDW) was associated with mortality in patients with acute pancreatitis (AP). Design A cross-sectional study. Setting Patients with AP were recruited in the emergency department and healthy individuals were recruited in healthcare centre in the First Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang University. Participants A total of 106 patients with AP and 204 healthy individuals were enrolled. Primary and secondary outcome measures Haematology and biochemistry results of the first test after admission were collected. The significance of the differences in RDW values among healthy individuals, non-survivors of patients with AP, and survivors of patients with AP was determined using one-way analysis of variance. Patients with AP were divided into three groups according to RDW tertiles. All patients with AP were followed up for at least 3 months. Receiver-operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis and Kaplan-Meier analysis were used to evaluate RDW values to predict mortality of patients with AP. Results The RDW values were non-survivors of patients with AP>healthy individuals>survivors of patients with AP. Patients with AP with the highest RDW tertiles had the lowest levels of Ca, total protein, albumin, haemoglobin, white and red blood cell count, but the highest mortality. The area under the ROC curve of RDW was 0.846 (95% CI 0.727 to 0.964, p<0.001). With a cut-off value of 14.2 for RDW, sensitivity and specificity of RDW to predict mortality were 75.0% and 89.8%, and Kaplan-Meier analysis showed an increase in probability of death with high RDW values. Conclusions There is significant association between RDW and mortality of patients with AP.

AIM To investigate the efficacy and safety of combined de novo lamivudine (LAM) and adefovir dipivoxil (ADV) therapy in hepatitis B virus (HBV)-related decompensated liver cirrhosis patients. METHODS One hundred and forty patients with HBV-related decompensated cirrhosis were recruited, 70 patients were treated with combined LAM and ADV de novo therapy, and the other 70 patients were treated with LAM alone as controls. The follow-up period was 144 wk. All patients with LAM resistance were shifted to ADV. RESULTS The percentage of HBV-related decompensated cirrhosis patients with undetectable HBV DNA in de novo combination group was 51.6% (33/64), 84.2% (48/57), and 92.3% (49/53) by weeks 48, 96, and 144, respectively. In monotherapy group, HBV DNA negativity rate was 46.1% (30/65), 56.1% (32/57), and 39.2% (20/51) by weeks 48, 96 and 144, respectively. There was a significant difference between the two groups by weeks 96 and 144 (P = 0.012 and 0.001). The hepatitis B e antigen seroconversion rate was 28.1% (9/32), 40.0% (12/30), and 53.6% (15/28) in the combination group by weeks 48, 96 and 144, respectively, and 24.2% (8/33), 31.0% (9/29), and 37.0% (10/27) by weeks 48, 96 and 144, respectively, in monotherapy group. A total of 68.6% (44/64), 84.2% (48/57), and 92.5% (49/53) patients achieved alanine aminotransferase (ALT) normalization by weeks 48, 96 and 144, respectively in the combination group. In monotherpy group, the ALT normalization rate was 64.6% (42/65) by week 48, 73.7% (42/57) by week 96, and 80.4% (41/51) by week 144. No patients in the combination group exhibited detectable resistance for at least 144 wk. The cumulative resistance rate in monotherapy group at weeks 48, 96, and 144 was 20.0%, 36.8%, and 56.9%. Both combination group and monotherapy group demonstrated an improvement in Child-Turcotte Pugh and Model for End-Stage Liver Disease scores at weeks 48, 96, and 144. All patients tolerated both combination and monotherapy. The ceratinine levels and glomerular filtration rate remained normal in all patients during the follow-up period. CONCLUSION In HBV-related decompensated liver cirrhosis patients, the combined de novo LAM and ADV therapy is more efficacious and safer compared to LAM alone.

Objective To compare the efficacy of add-on adefovir dipivoxil (ADV) therapy and switch-to entecavir (ETV) monotherapy in chronic hepatitis B (CHB) patients with suboptimal response to lamivudine (LAM).Methods A prospective study was performed in 120 CHB patients from Zhuji People' s Hospital and the First Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang University School of Medicine during June 2010 and June 2011.All patients previously received more than 24 weeks LAM treatment,but HBV DNA was still positive.Patients were randomized assigned to two groups:60 patients received add-on ADV therapy and another 60 switched to ETV monotherapy.Both groups were treated for 48 weeks.Liver and kidney function,alpha-fetal protein (AFP),HBV serum markers,HBV DNA and prothrombin time (PT) were examined,and ultrasonography or CT scan of liver was performed every 1-3 months.x2 test was used to compare the HBV DNA negative rates,HBeAg seroconversion rates,resistance rates and adverse reaction at week 48 between two groups.Results Thirty-three out of 38 patients (86.8％) with baseline HBV DNA 103-105 copies/mL became HBV DNA negative after add-on ADV treatment for 48 weeks,twenty-seven out of 39 patients (69.2％) with baseline HBV DNA 103-105 copies/ml became HBV DNA negative after switch-to ETV treatment.There was a statistical difference between two groups (x2 =4.578,P ＜ 0.05).Sixteen out of 22 patients (72.7％) with baseline HBV DNA ＞ 105 copies/mL became HBV DNA negative after add-on ADV treatment for 48 weeks,while only 52.4％ (11/21) patients achieved HBV DNA negative in the switch-to ETV group.There was also a statistical difference between two groups (x2 =4.865,P ＜0.05).None of patients in add-on group developed virological breakthrough and resistance,while 5 patients in switch-to ETV group developed virogical breakthrough and 3 patients developed genetic mutation.Among them,rtM204V + rtL180M + rtS202G mutation was detected in 2 patients,and rtM204V + rtL180M +rtT184A mutation was detected in 1 patient; all mutations happened in the baseline HBV DNA ＞ 105 copies/mL group.Conclusion The add-on ADV therapy is better in viral inhibition than switch-to ETV therapy for CHB patients with suboptimal response to LAM,and it can reduce the occurrence of drug resistance.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the efficacy of lamivudine (LAM) combined with adefovir dipivoxil (ADV) de novo and entecavir(LTV) monotherapy in treatment of patients with hepatitis B virus (HBV)-related decompensated cirrhosis for one year. METHODS: Sixty HBV-infected patients with decompensated cirrhosis treated with LAM combined with ADV de novo and 40 patients treated with ETV were enrolled. Liver and kidney function, HBVDNA, HBVM, AFP, US or CT scan of liver were tested every 1-3 month. The treatment efficacy was evaluated at month 12. RESULTS: By month 12, the HBV DNA negative rates in LAM combined with ADV de novo group (45 cases) and ETV monotherapy group (30 cases) were 51.1% and 60.0% respectively. There was no significant difference(P>0.05). The HBeAg negative rates in LAM + ADV group and ETV group were 30.4% and 26.7% respectively. There was no significant difference (P>0.05). The ALT normalization rates in two groups were similar. Viral breakthrough happened in 2 cases (4.4%) by month 12 in LAM + ADV group, and no viral resistance was observed, while viral breakthrough happened in 1 case (3.3%) by month 12 in ETV group. Improvement of liver function was obvious in both groups, for CTP and MELD scores decreased distinctly. The accumulative total mortality or liver transplantation rates were 9.4% and 8.7% respectively in LAM + ADV group and ETV group. No increase in blood creatinine above the upper normal limit was observed in both groups. CONCLUSION: Both of LAM combined with ADV de novo and ETV monotherapy are best choice in treatment of patients with HBV-related decompensated cirrhosis. They can inhibit HBV replication obviously, improve liver function and decrease mortality.

To investigate whether Toll-like receptor (TLR) 7 and TLR9-mediated interferon α (IFN-α) production in plasmacytoid dendritic cells (pDCs) is compromised in patients with chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection.

Objective To compare the 2-year efficacy of de novo combination therapy with lamivudine (LAM) and adefovir dipivoxil (ADV) to that of entecavir (ETV) monotherapy in treatment of patients with hepatitis B virus ( HBV )-related decompensated cirrhosis.Methods A total of 120 naive patients with HBV-related decompensated cirrhosis admitted to Shangyu People's Hospital and the First Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang University from January 2007 to April 2008 were enrolled,in which 60 were treated with LAM and ADV combination therapy,and other 60 patients were treated with ETV monotherapy.Tests for liver and kidney function,alpha-fetoprotein,HBV serum markers,HBV DNA load,prothrombin time (PT),and ultrasonography or CT scan of liver were performed every 1-3 months.Repeated measure ANOVA and x2test were used to compare the efficacy,side effects and accumulated survival rates at 12 and 24 month in two groups.Results Forty-five patients in each group were followed-up for 24 months.There was no significant difference in HBV DNA negative rates and ALT normalization rates at month 12 (x2 =2.12 and 2.88,P ＞0.05 ) and month 24 between two groups (x2 =3.21 and 3.24,P ＞ 0.05); while HBeAg seroconversion rate in LAM + ADV group at month 24 was significantly higher than that in ETV group (43.5％ vs.36.4％,x2 =4.09,P＜0.05).Viral breakthrough occurred in 2 cases (4.4％) by month 12 and 3 cases (6.7％) by month 24 in LAM + ADV group,and no viral mutation was observed; while in ETV group,viral breakthrough occurred in 1 case ( 2.2％ ) by month 12 and 2 cases (4.4％) by month 24,and viral mutation was observed in 1 case (2.2％) by month 24.At the end of month 24,increase of AIb (F=18.9 and 17.3,P＜0.05),decrease of TBil and ALT (F=16.5,17.1 and 23.7,24.8,P ＜0.05 ),shortening of PT ( F =22.7 and 24.5,P ＜ 0.05 ),and the improvements of CTP and MELD scores (F=18.5,17.8 and 24.2,23.8,P＜0.05) were observed in both groups.The accumulative rates of mortality or liver transplantation were 16.7％ ( 10/60 ) and 18.3％ ( 11/60 ) in LAM + ADV and ETV groups,respectively.No blood creatinine increased above the normal upper limit was observed in both groups.Conclusion Both LAM + ADV combination therapy and ETV monotherapy can effectively inhibit HBV replication,improve liver function,decrease mortality and viral resistance,but the 24-month HBeAg seroconversion rate in combination therapy group is higher than that in monotherapy group.

目的 通者过对矽肺患者血清总IgE、吸人性过敏原(phadiatop)及嗜酸阳离子蛋白(ECP)含量的检测,了解矽肺患者机体的免疫状态.方法 选择矽肺患者及接尘者共94例为暴露组,其中40例为观察对象组(0期),54例为确诊矽肺患者(Ⅰ期25人、Ⅱ期14人、Ⅲ期15人)；以健康体检者40人为健康对照组；患有其他肺部疾病(肺癌、肺炎及肺结节等)的患者113人为疾病对照组.测定血清中总IgE、吸人性过敏原及ECP含量.结果 暴露组的IgE阳性、血清IgE和吸人性过敏原总阳性率明显高于健康对照组,差异有统计学意义(P＜0.05).暴露组各期病例血清总IgE及吸人性过敏原水平的差异无统计学意义(P＞0.05).暴露组血清总Ig和吸人性过敏原水平与其他肺部疾病组的差异无统计学意义(P＞0.05).暴露组血清ECP含量为(16.56±6.71)μg/L,明显高于其他肺部疾病组[肺癌:(5.77±5.63)μg/L、肺炎:(6.18+4.40)μg/L、肺结节:(5.16±1.66) μg/L])],差异有统计学意义(P＜0.05).观察对象组血清ECP含量为(20.15±4.49)μg/L,明显高于各期病例[Ⅰ期:(16.68±4.34)μg/L、Ⅱ期:(7.38±1.89) μg/L、Ⅲ期:(4.83±1.21)μg/L],差异有统计学意义(P＜0.05).Ⅰ期尘肺病例血清ECP含量明显高于Ⅱ期和Ⅲ期,差异均有统计学意义(P＜0.05).血清ECP水平与尘肺分期呈负相关关系,随尘肺期别的增加,血清ECP水平呈下降趋势(r=-0.766,P＜0.05).结论 观察对象和Ⅰ期尘肺患者血清中ECP水平明显增高,且随尘肺期别的增加,血清ECP含量呈下降趋势.

Determine xanthine oxidase (XO) activity and oxidative-stress parameters in human acute paraquat poisoning.Twnty-five patients and 26 healthy control participants were recruited. Serum XO, superoxide dismutase (SOD), Glutathione (GSH) and malondialdehyde (MDA) were determined by spectrophotometric methods.XO activity and MDA levels were higher and SOD activity and GSH level were lower in the patients group. XO activity and MDA level were significantly higher, and the GSH level and SOD activity were lower in the paraquat poisoning fatality group. There was a significant negative correlation between the XO activity and both the SOD and GSH, while there was a significant positive correlation between XO activity and the MDA level in the patients group.XO activity contributes to the development of oxidative injury in patients with paraquat poisoning. Serum XO activity could be used as a marker for prognosis in human acute paraquat intoxication.

Objective To construct DNA vaccine expressing HIV-1 AE2f gp145-tat-rev-nef fusion gene( AE-Gp145TRN) and to compare the immunogenicities of DNA vaccines expressing Tat, Rev and Nef in gene fusion formulations of tat-rev-integrase(c-half)-vif-nef( AE-TRIVN) and AE-Gpl45TRN. Methods DNA vaccine was constructed by inserting the codon optimized HIV-1 AE2( gp145-tat-rev-nef fusion gene into mammalian expression DNA vector. In vitro expression efficiency of the constructed DNA vaccine was determined by Western blot and the immunogenicities of AE-Gpl45TRN and AE-TRIVN were compared by immunizing female BALB/c mice. IFN-r ELISPOT assay was used to read out the specific T cell immunity. Results Western blot assay showed the constructed DNA vaccine could be expressed efficiently in vitro. After vaccination, AE-TRIVN mounted significantly higher T cell responses against Tat, Rev and Nef[(148±91)SFCs/106 splenocytes]than Gpl45TRN[(55±28) SFCs/106 splenocytes]. Specific T cell responses elicited by AE-TRIVN predominantly targeting Rev, whereas Gpl45TRN could significantly enhance T cell responses against Nef. Conclusion AE-TRIVN and Gpl45TRN induced distinct T cell response modalities, which implied different gene fusion formulations may affect the immunogenicity of specific DNA vaccines.

To determine whether oxidative-stress damage play an important role in the mechanism of silicosis, the oxidative stress parameters were investigated in silicosis patients and controls group. 128 silicosis patients and 130 healthy controls were included. The serum superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity and the levels of malonyldialdehyde (MDA) and glutathione (GSH) were analyzed. The levels of GSH and MDA in silicosis patients were significantly higher than those of the controls group. SOD activity was higher in the silicosis group than that in the controls (p < 0.05) except for III stage. None of the 3 variables examined were associated with the age among both the controls and silicosis patients. The GSH level and SOD activity significantly declined over a prolonged disease period, while MDA levels remained largely unaffected by the disease duration. These results confirmed the role of oxidative stress in the mechanism of silicosis. Therefore, effective antioxidant therapy for inhibiting oxidative stress may be a therapeutic option in silicosis.

Prolonged exposure to silica dust causes an imbalance in the generation of free radicals and in the antioxidant system, thereby inducing oxidative stress. The antioxidant status of 113 silicosis patients and 116 control subjects without silicosis was examined. Serum superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity and serum levels of malondialdehyde (MDA) and glutathione (GSH) were significantly higher in silicosis patients than in controls. The GSH level in patients with stage I silicosis was higher than that in patients with other stages, but there was no difference in serum MDA level and SOD activity between disease stages. The GSH level of patients who worked with air drills was significantly lower than that of patients in other occupations, whereas the MDA level was significantly elevated in patients who used air drills. Serum SOD activity did not differ significantly according to the occupational group. It is concluded that the measurement of serum SOD, GSH and MDA levels could be beneficial in the clinical evaluation of serum antioxidant status in silicosis patients.

AIM:To evaluate the efficacy and safety of telbivudine (LDT) in hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg)-positive chronic hepatitis B (CHB) patients who have high baseline alanine aminotransferase (ALT) levels between 10 and 20 times the upper limit of normal.METHODS:Forty HBeAg-positive CHB patients with high baseline ALT levels between 10 and 20 times the upper limit of normal were enrolled and received LDT monotherapy for 52 wk. Another forty patients with baseline ALT levels between 2 and 10 times the upper limit of normal were included as controls. We compared the virological, biochemical, serological and side effect profiles between the two groups at 52 wk.RESULTS:By week 52, the mean decrease in hepatitis B virus (HBV) DNA level compared with baseline was 7.03 log(10) copies/mL in the high baseline ALT group and 6.17 log(10) copies/mL in the control group, respectively (P < 0.05). The proportion of patients in whom serum HBV DNA levels were undetectable by polymerase chain reaction assay was 72.5% in the high baseline ALT group and 60% in the control group, respectively (P < 0.05). In addition, 45.0% of patients in the high baseline ALT group and 27.5% of controls became HBeAg-negative, and 37.5% of those in the high baseline group and 22.5% of controls, respectively, had HBeAg seroconversion (P < 0.05) at week 52. Moreover, in the high baseline group, 4 out of 40 patients (10%) became hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg)-negative and 3 (7.5%) of them seroconverted (became HBsAg-positive). Only 1 patient in the control group became HBsAg-negative, but had no seroconversion. The ALT normalization rate, viral breakthrough, genotypic resistance to LDT, and elevations in creatine kinase levels were similar in the two groups over the 52 wk.CONCLUSION:High baseline ALT level is a strong predictor for optimal results during LDT treatment.

Objective To analyze CD127 expression on the memory CD8+ lymphocytes from hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg) positive chronic hepatitis B (CHB) patients treated with peginterferon α-2a (Pegasys). Methods Thirty HBeAg positive CHB patients were treated with peginterferon α-2a 180 μg once a week for 48 weeks and followed up for 24 weeks. The memory CD8+ lymphocytes were characterized by expressing CD45RA and CD27 markers. CD127 expression on cell surface was measured by four-colour flow cytometry. The difference of mean values between groups was evaluated by Mann-Whitney test. Results The CD127 expression on CD8+ T lymphocytes was significantly lower in HBeAg positive CHB patients compared to healthy controls (Z=2.889, P＜0.05), which was negatively correlated with serum hepatitis B virus (HBV) DNA level and HBeAg titers. The CD127 expression increased along with the decrease of HBV DNA and HBeAg after 24-week, 48-week and 72-week treatment in patients showing good response to peginterferon α-2a, while CD127 expression didn't change markedly in non responders (Z24w = 1.954, Z48w = 2.789, Z72w = 2. 989; all P＜0. 05). Conclusion CD127 expression on memory CD8+ lymphocytes increases along with effective anti-HBV treatment in CHB patients, which can be used as a marker for evaluating the effectiveness of anti-viral treatment.

This study investigated whether xanthine oxidase (XO) plays an important role in the mechanism of toxicity of acute organophosphorus pesticide poisoning (AOPP). The serum activities of XO, superoxide dismutase (SOD), paraoxonase-1 (PON1), butyrylcholinesterase (BChE) and malondialdehyde (MDA) were compared in 49 patients with AOPP and 50 age- and gender-matched healthy controls. Serum XO and MDA activities were higher and the serum SOD, PON1 and BChE activities were lower in the AOPP patients compared with the controls. Pearson correlation analysis demonstrated a significant negative correlation between XO activity and the SOD, PON1 and BChE activities, but a significant positive correlation between XO activity and MDA. These results suggest that increased activity of XO and decreased antioxidant enzyme activity contribute to the development of oxidative injury in AOPP patients. Thus, effective antioxidant therapy may be a therapeutic option following AOPP.

BACKGROUND:Accumulating evidence supports the theory that expression of CD127 on CD8 T cells during the process of antiviral immune response indicates a subset of effect CD8 T cells that successfully develop into fully protective memory. CD8 T cells expression of CD127 may be used as a predictor to evaluate disease status in chronic viral infection. The aim of this study was to investigate the CD127 expression level on different subsets of CD8 T cell and explore the relationship between CD127 expression on CD8 memory T cells and serum hepatitis B virus (HBV) DNA and hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg) levels in patients with chronic hepatitis B (CHB). We also aimed to investigate the CD127 expression pattern on CD8 memory T cells of CHB patients who were treated with Telbivudine.METHODS/RESULTS:Twenty HBeAg-positive CHB patients were selected and treated with telbivudine 600 mg/day for 48 weeks. The memory CD8 T cells were characterized by expression of CD45RA and CD27 markers. CD127 expression on the CD8 T-cell surface was measured by four-colour flow cytometry. Our results showed that CD127 expression on memory CD8 T cells was reduced in CHB patients. There was a strong negative correlation between CD127 expression on memory CD8 T cells and serum HBV DNA and HBeAg levels in CHB patients. Moreover, successful antiviral therapy increased CD127 expression on CD8 memory T cells as well as on HBV-specific CD8 T cells in CHB patients.CONCLUSION:These results suggest that diminished CD127 expression on CD8 memory T cells of CHB patients is a potential mechanism explaining cellular immune function impairment in CHB infection, and that CD127 expression on CD8 memory T cells is a useful indicator for evaluating the effects of anti-HBV therapy.