[Markers of hepatic fibrogenesis in alcoholic patients].

Abstract

BACKGROUND:

An elevation of serologic markers of hepatic fibrogenesis has been reported in liver diseases of different etiologies. Among these, the N-terminal type III procollagen (P-III-P) and the P1 proteolytic fragment of laminin (P1 laminin) increase in alcoholic liver damage, in proportion to the progression of this condition.

AIM:

To study serum levels of P-III-P and P1 laminin in asymptomatic alcoholics with and without liver damage and decompensated alcoholic cirrhotics, compared to normal controls.

METHODS:

Serum P-III-P and laminin levels were measured in asymptomatic alcoholics during detoxification treatment. Liver biopsies were obtained, in order to detect liver damage, which was graded with a numeric score, considering values over 6 as severe damage. Serum fibrogenesis markers were also measured in a group of decompensated alcoholic cirrhotics.

RESULTS:

P-III-P levels were significantly higher in cirrhotic patients compared to alcoholics with or without liver damage and to normal controls. Laminin was not different between groups. P-III-P did not correlate with histologic score in asymptomatic patients.

CONCLUSIONS:

In this study P-III-P and P1 laminin were not usefull discriminators of severe liver damage among asymptomatic alcoholics; their levels were found to rise significantly only when liver disease has become clinically evident.

• Authors: M P de la Maza, C Chichester, S Hirsch, M Petermann, H Iturriaga, D Bunout
• Journal: Revista medica de Chile (Rev Med Chil) Vol. 125 Issue 1 Pg. 15-21 (Jan 1997) ISSN: 0034-9887 [Print] Chile
• Vernacular Title: Marcadores de fibrogénesis hepática en pacientes alcohólicos.
• PMID: 9336064 (Publication Type: Comparative Study, English Abstract, Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)

Chemical References

• Biomarkers
• Laminin
• Procollagen

Topics

• Adult
• Alcoholism (blood)
• Analysis of Variance
• Biomarkers (blood)
• Humans
• Laminin (blood)
• Liver Cirrhosis, Alcoholic (blood, diagnosis)
• Middle Aged
• Procollagen (blood)