Studies on lymphocyte subpopulations and NK cell activities in epileptic patients

Abstract

The subpopulations of T lymphocytes, B lymphocytes and macrophages of the peripheral blood in 58 cases of epilepsia were studied with McAb by IFA method. The activity of natural killer (NK) cells of penpheric blood monocyte was investigated by⁵¹Cr-releasing method. 22 healthy donors of about the same age served as controls. The results showed that the percentage of T₃ and T₄ lymphocytes in epileptic patients was decreased, and the ratio of T₄/T₈ was markedly reduced as compared to control group. The percentage of T₈ lymphecytes was increased. There were no significant changes in B lymphocytes and macrophages. The NK cell activity also showed decrease. The results suggested abnormality in cellular immunity in epilepsia, which may be involved in the pathogenetic mechanism of the disease.

Keywords

T lymphocytic subpopulations / B lymphocyte / monecyte / NK cell activity / epilepsia