Serum beta 2-microglobulin levels in primary biliary cirrhosis.

Serum beta 2-microglobulin (beta 2 mu) was determined in 44 patients with primary biliary cirrhosis (PBC) and in 63 patients with other liver disorders. beta 2 mu levels were elevated in PBC when compared with chronic persistent hepatitis, primary sclerosing cholangitis and noncirrhotic alcohol liver disease, but not in comparison with chronic active hepatitis and alcoholic liver cirrhosis. With the exception of chronic persistent hepatitis, all liver disorders had significantly increased serum concentrations of beta 2 mu when compared with controls. A significant correlation between beta 2 mu and erythrocyte sedimentation rate (p less than 0.001) and beta 2 mu and serum IgG (p less than 0.05) was found in PBC. No significant difference in beta 2 mu levels was noted when PBC patients with early and late histopathological changes were compared. D-penicillamine treatment significantly (p less than 0.01) but transiently reduced beta 2 mu levels in PBC; this may reflect the presumed immunosuppressive action of this drug.