Abstract
Aim: Myeloperoxidase is mainly found in the azurophilic granules of human polymorphic nucleated neutrophils, and it is one of the enzymes that has a role in the host defense. Deteriorations in both humoral and cellular immunity, and decreases in the filtration functions of liver and the antimicrobial capacity of ascites fluid increase the risk of spontaneous bacterial peritonitis in patients with cirrhosis. The aim of this study is to evaluate if there is a difference in the serum-ascites myeloperoxidase levels of patients with ascites due to liver cirrhosis and other non-cirrhotic diseases, which are clinical conditions that spontaneous bacterial peritonitis is frequently seen.
Materials and Methods: This study included a total of 51 patients (28 males and 23 females) with ascites due to liver cirrhosis and non-cirrhotic diseases, and 16 healthy subjects (8 males and 8 females). Serum-ascites albumin gradient was calculated, and myeloperoxidase and leukocyte count were determined in both blood and ascites fluid.
Results: Serum-ascites albumin gradient, and blood leukocyte count were statistically similar between patients with ascites due to liver cirrhosis and non-cirrhotic diseases. There was no significant difference between serum myeloperoxidase levels, age and sex of patients with cirrhosis due to liver cirrhosis and non-cirrhotic diseases, and control group subjects. Myeloperoxidase levels in ascites of patients with liver cirrhosis were significantly lower than patients with non-cirrhotic diseases.
Conclusion: Since myeloperoxidase has an important role in immune system, we concluded that decreases in myeloperoxidase might have a role in increased spontaneous bacterial peritonitis in liver cirrhosis.

Key words: Myeloperoxidase; Ascites; Cirrhosis.