80例慢性HBV感染者临床与肝组织病理学分析

目的探讨血清丙氨酸氨基转移酶（ALT）低于2倍正常值上限（ULN）的慢性乙型肝炎病毒（HBV）感染者临床特征和肝组织病理学的变化。方法在2010年7月至2013年11月住院行肝活检的80例慢性HBV感染者,常规检测血清HBeAg和HBV DNA水平,回顾性分析其临床资料和肝组织学改变。结果 50例HBeAg阳性和30例HBeAg阴性患者年龄分别为（28.52±9.10）岁和（39.37±10.14）岁,HBV DNA载量分别为（7.79±0.73）lg拷贝/毫升和（4.52±1.67）lg拷贝/毫升,差异均有统计学意义（P〈0.01）;两组肝组织炎症活动度分别为（1.00±0.57）和（1.27±0.45）,纤维化程度分别为（0.38±0.57）和（1.07±1.11）,差异均有统计学意义（P〈0.05）;两组肝组织HBsAg表达强度免疫染色评分（ISS）分别为（0.93±0.92）和（0.77±0.93）,HBcAg分别为（1.58±0.88）和（1.63±0.92）,差异均无统计学意义（P〉0.05）;22例患者年龄≥40岁和35例年龄〈30岁患者肝组织炎症活动度分别为（1.32±0.48）和（0.69±0.58）,纤维化程度分别为（1.00±1.27）和（0.40±0.50）,差异均有统计学意义（P〈0.05）;52例男性和28例女性患者肝组织炎症活动度分别为（1.12±0.55）和（1.07±0.54）,纤维化程度分别为（0.71±0.82）和（0.50±0.96）,肝组织HBsAg表达强度（ISS）分别为（0.89±0.89）和（0.82±1.00）,HBcAg分别为（1.44±0.94）和（1.24±1.09）,差异均无统计学意义。结论对年龄≥40岁且HBeAg阴性的血清ALT低于2×ULN的慢性HBV感染者,应及早行肝组织病理学检查,以进行正确的病情评估。     

肝活检对不明原因谷丙酶升高病例的诊断价值(附10例报告)

目的探讨病理组织学和免疫组织化学检查对原因不明的ALT升高病例的诊断价值。方法对10例血清病毒学指标阴性的ALT和AST升高的病人,在B超导向下行肝活检,常规病理学检查和免疫组化法检测HBsAg、HBcAg和丙型肝炎病毒抗原。结果诊断为乙型肝炎6例,丙型肝炎2例,仍不明确诊断2例。结论肝穿刺检查对原因不明的谷丙酶升高的病例的诊断是简便、安全可靠的诊断方法。     

慢性乙型肝炎病毒携带者和ALT轻度升高慢性乙型肝炎患者的肝脏病理及临床特征

目的 分析不同ALT水平慢性HBV携带者和血清ALT轻度升高慢性乙型肝炎患者肝组织病理学及临床改变,B超检查结果 的差异,寻找与肝组织学改变相关的因素. 方法 将128例患者分为3组:A组:ALT≤0.5×正常值上限(ULN),B组:0.5×ULN相似文献   

慢性重型肝炎患者离体肝组织病理与临床诊断的相关性

目的 研究慢性重型肝炎患者的病理诊断与临床诊断的符合率,筛选与病理诊断符合率高的临床诊断指标.方法 选取2004年11月-2009年6月于北京佑安医院住院并进行肝移植的病例,筛选出临床诊断为慢性乙型重型肝炎和(或)病理诊断为慢性乙型重型肝炎的病例为研究对象.检测患者白细胞、血小板、平均红细胞体积、总胆红素、直接胆红素、白蛋白、ALT、AST、尿素氮、肌酐、血糖、胆碱酯酶、总胆固醇、γ-谷氨酰转移酶、碱性磷酸酶、血清钾、血清钠、凝血酶原活动度及血氨水平,彩色超声检查测量门静脉宽度及脾静脉厚度,并对其在不同组别患者间的差别进行比较.2组间数据比较用独立样本t检验,3组间数据比较用F检验.结果 51例患者中,临床及病理诊断符合率64.7%.慢性重型肝炎组ALT及AST分别为(675.0±510.0)U/L和(392.0±370.0)U/L,均高于活动性肝硬化组的(67.0±45.0)U/L和(103.0±59.0)U/L(t值分别为2.349和2.332,P值均＜0.01);慢性重型肝炎组中发病时间＜30d者的ALT为(761.0±743.0)U/L,明显高于发病时间≥30d者的(117.0±112.0)U/L(t=2.928,P＜0.01);慢性重型肝炎组和活动性肝硬化组的酶-胆分离现象发生率分别为78.9%及0.结论 慢性乙型重型肝炎的临床与病理诊断符合率不高,观察ALT和AST升高幅度及疾病过程中有无酶-胆分离现象有助于提高慢性重型肝炎的诊断符合率.     

慢性HBV感染者肝脏病理及临床特征分析128例

目的:比较慢性HBV携带者与血清ALT轻度升高慢性乙型肝炎患者肝组织病理学及临床改变的差异, 并寻找与肝组织学改变相关的因素.方法:将128例患者按血清ALT水平分为3组:A组:ALT≤0.5×正常值上限(upper limitsof normal, ULN), B组:0.5×ULN0.05), C组的脾脏厚度较A组、B组显著增加(均P<0.01); 随炎症分级的增加, 血清ALT、脾脏厚度、门静脉宽度、肝内HBcAg阳性率显著增加(均P<0.05);脾脏厚度、门静脉宽度、血清HBeAg阴性患者比率随纤维化程度加重显著增加( 均P<0.05).结论:慢性HBV感染者(ALT<2×ULN), 肝组织均有不同程度炎症改变, 伴或不伴纤维化改变, 密切随访血清ALT、脾脏厚度、门静脉宽度、肝内HBcAg的表达, 对于协助了解肝脏病变有一定的提示作用.     

一组不明原因的肝损害患者肝组织病理学诊断研究*

目的 探讨在B超引导下肝穿刺活检术诊断不明原因的肝损伤(LIUO)的价值。方法 回顾性分析我院诊治的71例LIUO患者的临床资料,所有患者接受肝穿刺活检,进行全面的血清学、病毒学和影像学检查。结果 在71例患者中,53例(76.4%)表现为不明原因的血清转氨酶升高,6例(8.5%)为不明原因的血清胆红素升高,8例(11.3%)为不明原因的肝硬化,2例(2.8%)为不明原因的门脉高压,2例(2.8%)为胆管扩张;结合临床资料,组织病理学检查诊断13例(18.3%)为自身免疫性肝病,其中8例为原发性胆汁性胆管炎,2例为自身免疫性肝炎,2例为重叠综合征,1例为IgG4相关性胆管炎;18例(25.4%)为非酒精性脂肪性肝病,其中14例为非酒精性脂肪性肝炎;17例(23.9%)为药物性肝损伤;4例(5.6%)为化学性肝损害伤;2例(2.8%)为酒精性脂肪肝;2例为Gilbert综合征,1例诊断为Dubin-Johnson综合征,1例诊断为Caroli病,1例为特发性门脉高压,1例为糖原累积症相关性肝硬化,有1例非噬肝病毒感染,1例为肝内胆管病变,仍有9例(12.7%)肝损害无明显特异性,仅表现为非特异性反应性肝炎。结论 结合临床资料,肝穿刺活检组织病理学检查能够帮助临床医生提供大部分LIUO患者的病因学诊断。     

酒精性与非酒精性脂肪肝的临床特征鉴别探讨

目的探讨酒精性与非酒精性脂肪肝的临床特征及其鉴别诊断方法。方法随机选择非酒精性、酒精性脂肪肝各20例患者进行临床对比研究。结果酒精性脂肪肝患者血浆白蛋白(A)含量、A／G(血浆白球蛋白比值)降低，血清γ-谷氨酰转移酶(CGT)、血清门冬氨酸氨基转移酶(AST)／丙氨酸氨基转移酶(ALT)比值升高。结论酒精性脂肪肝患者上述临床特征对与非酒精性脂肪肝鉴别诊断有一定意义。     

肝组织病理学检查在不明原因肝病诊治中的应用

正在肝脏疾病的诊断中,除临床、实验室、影像学检查等手段外,肝脏组织病理学检查可以直接观察肝脏组织结构信息,明确病变性质并确定损伤程度,被誉为肝病诊断的金标准~([1,2]),其主要任务是:结合临床,提出肝病的病理诊断、严重程度(分级)及进展阶段(分期)、提供病因学诊断证据或线索,为制定治疗方案和判断预后提供依据。在不明原因的疑难肝病诊治中,尤其是血生化检查及影像学检查不典型的病例中,病理诊断更是为临床提供了必不可少的     

Upper limit of normal serum alanine and aspartate aminotransferase levels in Korea

Background and Aim: The widely accepted range of upper limits of normal (ULN) alanine aminotransferase (ALT) levels (ULN < 40 U/L) was recently challenged by several reports. Both ALT and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) are commonly used as surrogate markers of liver disease, but almost all studies of aminotransferase activity were conducted on ALT. We investigated not only ULN of ALT but also AST activity and to identify factors modulating them in healthy Korean. Methods: A cross‐sectional study of 411 240 registered blood donors in all nationwide blood banks belonging to the Korean Red Cross were conducted. ULN of ALT and AST was evaluated adjusting their age according to the national population census database. “Decision tree model” was used to identify the affecting factors of ALT and AST and optimal cut‐off points of affecting factors. Results: “ULN of ALT” was 34 U/L in men and 24 U/L in women and “ULN of AST” was 32 U/L in men and 26 U/L in women in the blood donor database. Decision tree analysis showed that ALT levels were mostly influenced by body mass index level and its critical two cut‐off points were 23.5 kg/m² and 25.8 kg/m², respectively. The most affecting factor of AST was gender. Conclusion: Upper limits of normal of ALT and AST in Koreans were lower than conventional accepted values (< 40 U/L) but higher than recently suggested values (male < 30 U/L and female < 19 U/L). Body mass index was the most determining factor for ALT and gender was the most influencing factor for AST activity.     

Risk factors for hepatocellular carcinoma in hepatitis C patients with normal alanine aminotransferase treated with pegylated interferon and ribavirin

Pegylated interferon (Peg‐IFN) plus ribavirin combination therapy is effective in patients with hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection and normal alanine aminotransferase levels (NALT). However, it remains unclear whether the risk of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) incidence is actually reduced in virological responders. In this study, HCC incidence was examined for 809 patients with NALT (ALT ≤ 40 IU/mL) treated with Peg‐IFN alpha‐2b and ribavirin for a mean observation period of 36.2 ± 16.5 months. The risk factors for HCC incidence were analysed by Kaplan–Meier method and Cox proportional hazards model. On multivariate analysis among NALT patients, the risk of HCC incidence was significantly reduced in patients with sustained virological response (SVR) or relapse compared with those showing nonresponse (NR) (SVR vs NR, hazard ratio (HR): 0.16, P = 0.009, relapse vs NR, HR: 0.11, P = 0.037). Other risk factors were older age (≥65 years vs <60 years, HR: 6.0, P = 0.032, 60–64 vs <60 years, HR: 3.2, P = 0.212) and male gender (HR: 3.9, P = 0.031). Among 176 patients with PNALT (ALT ≤ 30 IU/mL), only one patient developed HCC and no significant risk factors associated with HCC development were found. In conclusion, antiviral therapy for NALT patients with HCV infection can lower the HCC incidence in responders, particularly for aged and male patients. The indication of antiviral therapy for PNALT (ALT ≤ 30 IU/mL) patients should be carefully determined.     

Fibrosis progression rates between chronic hepatitis B and C patients with elevated alanine aminotransferase levels

BACKGROUND: We evaluated the annual rate of fibrosis progression in chronic hepatitis B and C patients with elevated alanine aminotransferase (ALT) levels. METHODS: Forty-nine chronic hepatitis B patients and 21 chronic hepatitis C patients, each of whom had undergone two or more liver biopsies at an interval of more than 1 year, were enrolled in this retrospective clinical research protocol. The annual rate of fibrosis progression was calculated by dividing the change in fibrosis stage between the first and second liver biopsies by the interval in years between them. RESULTS: The median interval in chronic hepatitis B and C was 3.4 (first and third quartiles, 1.8-4.7) and 3.2 (2.1-6.5) years, respectively. Overall, the mean fibrosis progression rate was 0.21 +/- 0.31 (mean +/- SD) fibrosis units (FU) per year in 49 patients with chronic hepatitis B, and 0.13 +/- 0.18 FU/year in 21 patients with chronic hepatitis C. The ALT level was an independent variable correlating with fibrosis progression. In patients whose median ALT level was 70 IU/l or more, the mean fibrosis progression rate was 0.28 +/- 0.32 FU/year in 36 patients with chronic hepatitis B, and 0.22 +/- 0.23 FU/year in eight patients with chronic hepatitis C. CONCLUSION: This paired-biopsy study of untreated chronic hepatitis B or C demonstrated that fibrosis progression occurred largely in patients with continuously elevated ALT levels even over a relatively short period, and that liver fibrosis might progress by one stage within an average of 4-5 years of follow-up in patients with elevated ALT of 70 IU/l or more.     

Normal serum alanine aminotransferase activity in uncomplicated obesity

AIM: To evaluate serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT) activity in a well-characterized group of uncomplicated obese subjects and its correlation with insulin resistance, plasma adiponectin, and leptin concentrations. METHODS: One hundred and five uncomplicated obese subjects (87 women, 18 men, age 34.3±9.6 years, BMI 39.9±8.3 kg/m2)were studied. Serum ALT activity was evaluated. Insulin sensitivity was assessed by euglycemic hyperinsulinemic clamp (M index) and fasting insulin. Plasma leptin and adiponectin levels were also measured. RESULTS: Serum ALT concentration in the whole group of uncomplicated obese subjects was 17.73±6.33 U/L with none of the subjects presenting ALT levels greater than 43 U/L and only 9 (11%) women and 3 (19%) men showed ALT levels >19 and >30 U/L for women and men, respectively. No significant difference was detected in serum ALT levels between severe obese subjects (BMI >40 kg/m2) and those with BMI <40 kg/m2 (18.63±6.25 vs 17.26±6.02 U/L). ALT was significantly correlated with fasting insulin (r=0.485, P= 0.02) and triglycerides (r= 0.358, P=0.03). CONCLUSION: Serum ALT activity is practically normal in uncomplicated obese subjects, independently of their obesity degree. These findings suggest the role of obesityrelated comorbidities and not of BMI as main risk factors for elevated ALT levels in obese subjects.     

Clinical features of hepatitis C virus carriers with persistently normal alanine aminotransferase levels

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection causes chronic hepatitis, which frequently leads to hepatic fibrosis and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Alanine aminotransferase (ALT) is a biomarker of hepatocyte injury and is associated with the progression of hepatic fibrosis. Advanced hepatic fibrosis also predisposes HCV carriers to a risk of HCC. In contrast, some cases with persistent HCV infection have normal ALT levels that persist for a long time, and these HCV carriers have no or mild hepatitis and hepatic fibrosis. These HCV carriers are defined as persistent normal ALT (PNALT) cases and their risk of HCC is low compared to HCV carriers with abnormal ALT. However, there are various definitions of normal ALT and PNALT, and advanced hepatic fibrosis may be missed without a liver biopsy. In addition, there is also a risk of ALT elevation in HCV carriers with PNALT, which increases the risk of progression to hepatic fibrosis and HCC. Most HCV carriers with PNALT have asymptomatic or nonspecific symptoms. HCV carriers with PNALT are also considered to be responsive to interferon-based treatment. Thus, assessment of hepatic fibrosis is important in HCV carriers, and the eradication of HCV infection is more likely in HCV carriers with evidence of hepatic fibrosis, regardless of their ALT levels.     

Determination of the upper cut-off values of serum alanine aminotransferase and aspartate aminotransferase in Chinese

AIM:To determine the upper cut-off values of serumalanine aminotransferase(ALT)and aspartate aminotransferase(AST)in a Northern Chinese population.METHODS:A total of 3769 subjects in Jilin Province Northeast China were stratified to determine the potential factors affecting serum ALT and AST levels.The upper cut-off values of serum ALT and AST in these subjects were determined using receiver operating characteristic analysis and their sensitivity and specificity were evaluated.RESULTS:Stratification analysis revealed that serum ALT and AST levels were associated with gender,alcohol consumption,serum cholesterol and triglyceride levels,and body mass index.The upper cut-off values of serum ALT and AST were 22.15 U/L and 25.35 U/L for healthy men and 22.40 U/L and 24.25 U/L for healthy women,respectively.The new cut-off values had a higher sensitivity,but a slightly lower specificity than the current standards.CONCLUSION:Our results indicate that the new upper cut-off values of serum ALT and AST are markedly lower than current standards and may be valuable for the evaluation of liver function.     

Prevalence and etiology of elevated serum alanine aminotransferase level in an adult population in Taiwan

BACKGROUND: The prevalence and etiologies of elevated alanine aminotransferase (ALT) have geographic variations and they are rarely reported in Taiwan. Through a population-based screening study, the prevalence and etiologies of elevated ALT in an adult population of Taiwan were assessed. METHODS: A cross-sectional community study in a rural village of Taiwan was conducted in 3260 Chinese adults (age >or=18 years) undergoing ultrasonography (US), blood tests, and interviews with a structured questionnaire. The diagnostic criteria of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) included alcohol intake <20 g/week for women or <30 g/week for men, negative hepatitis B virus (HBV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV) infections, no known etiologies of liver disease, and US consistent with fatty liver. RESULTS: The prevalence of elevated ALT was 11.4% (372/3260). The probable cause of this elevation was excess alcohol consumption in 0.8%, HBV in 28.5%, HCV in 13.2%, both HBV and HCV in 2.2%, NAFLD in 33.6%, and unexplained cause in 21.8%. The etiologic distribution of elevated ALT was similar in both genders, although elevation was more common in men compared to women (17.3%vs 6.1%, P < 0.05). The prevalence of elevated ALT in NAFLD was 18.1% (125/691), and the positive predictive value was 33.6% (125/372). The development of NAFLD was related to increasing age (age between 40 years and 64 years, odds ratio [OR] 1.59, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.25-2.01; age >or= 65 years, OR 1.46, 95%CI: 1.08-1.96), fasting plasma glucose (FPG) >or= 126 mg/dL (OR 1.54, 95%CI: 1.11-2.14), body mass index (BMI) >or= 25 kg/m(2) (OR 5.01, 95%CI: 4.13-6.26), triglyceridemia >or= 150 mg/dL (OR 1.96, 95%CI: 1.58-2.42), and hyperuricemia (OR 1.50, 95%CI: 1.22-1.84). Elevated ALT was related to male gender, BMI >or= 25 kg/m(2), and triglyceridemia >or= 150 mg/dL in subjects without known etiologies of liver disease (all P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease appears to be the commonest cause of elevated ALT and presumed liver injury in Taiwan. The development of NAFLD is closely associated with many metabolic disorders. Metabolic disorders are also related to elevated ALT in subjects without known etiologies of liver disease.     

血清低水平丙氨酸氨基转移酶的HBV感染者临床特征分析*

目的 分析总结低水平血清丙氨酸氨基转移酶(ALT)的HBV感染者临床特征,以利于寻找肝功能可能已经异常的线索。方法 2017年1月～2021年3月我院诊治的HBV感染者226例,均接受肝活检,采用Scheuer评分系统和组织学活动指数评价肝组织纤维化分期和炎症活动度分级。将肝组织炎症活动度分级和肝纤维化分期≥G2S2定义为显著肝组织学病变。结果 在本组226例HBV感染者中,临床诊断HBV携带者125例,慢性乙型肝炎(CHB)患者101例;CHB患者男性占比、显著肝组织病变、血清AST水平>40 U/L、肝纤维化分期≥F2和肝组织炎症活动度≥G2分别为77.2%、61.4%、49.5%、36.7%和52.5%,显著高于HBV携带者的54.4%、33.6%、5.6%、18.4%和25.6%(P<0.05);在226例HBV感染者中,经肝组织学检查,发现显著肝组织病变104例,非显著肝组织病变122例;显著肝组织病变患者血清HBV DNA水平为(4.6±1.2)lg copies/ml,显著低于非显著组【(5.2±1.4)lg copies/ml,P<0.05】,外周血血小板计数为(163.6±49.2)×10⁹/L,显著低于非显著组【(192.2±54.5)×10⁹/L,P<0.05】,血清ALT水平>40 U/L、AST水平>40 U/L、肝纤维化分期≥F2和肝组织炎症活动度分级≥G2占比分别为60.6%、39.4%、57.7%和81.7%,显著高于非显著组(分别为31.1%、13.1%、0.0%和0.0%,P<0.05)。结论 对于血清ALT低水平的HBV感染者应进行临床资料的筛查和甄别,其中一些已经存在肝组织学病变,适时进行肝活检可以帮助早期发现CHB患者而给予必要的处理,以改善预后。     

A community-based epidemiological study of elevated serum alanine aminotransferase levels in Kinmen, Taiwan

AIM: To explore any gender-related differences in prevalence of and condition-associated factors related to an elevated serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT) level amongst residents of Kinmen, Taiwan. METHODS: A total of 11 898 of a potential 20 112 regional residents aged 30 years or more completed a related questionnaire that was carried out by the Yang-Ming Crusade between 1991 and 1994 inclusively, with blood samples being collected by public nurses. The overall questionnaire response rate was 59.3% (52.4% for males and 66.0% for females). RESULTS: The prevalence of an elevated serum ALT level for this sub-population was found to be 7.2%, the prevalence revealing a statistically significant decrease with increasing population age (P<0.0001). Males exhibited a greater prevalence of elevated serum ALT level than did females (9.4% vs 5.3%, P<0.0001). Using multiple logistic regression analysis, in addition to male gender, a younger age, greater waist circumference, presence of type-2 diabetes and hyperuricemia were the significant factors associated with an elevated serum ALT level for both males and females. Gender-related differences as regards associated factors were also revealed. For males, obesity was significantly related to an elevated serum ALT level (OR = 1.28, 95%CI: 1.00-1.66) but this was not so for females (OR = 1.09, 95%CI: 0.84-1.42). Hypertriglyceridemia (OR = 1.80, 95%CI: 1.36-2.39) and hyperuricemia (OR = 1.61, 95%CI: 1.03-2.52) were significantly related to elevated serum ALT levels only for females. CONCLUSION: Several gender-related differences were noted pertaining to the prevalence of and relationship between obesity, hypertriglyceridemia and hyperuricemia and elevated serum ALT level in the present study.     

Effects of obstructive sleep apnea syndrome on serum aminotransferase levels in obese patients

PURPOSE: Obesity has been associated with obstructive sleep apnea and hepatic steatosis. We investigated the effects of obstructive sleep apnea and treatment with nasal continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) on serum aminotransferase levels in obese patients. METHODS: We studied 40 obese men with obstructive sleep apnea syndrome. None had hepatitis B antigen or C antibody, autoimmune disease, or an excessive intake of alcohol. Serum levels of aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, triglyceride, glucose, insulin, and leptin were determined in the afternoon and in the morning immediately after sleep, before and after nasal CPAP treatment. RESULTS: Aminotransferase levels were abnormal in 35% (n = 14) of patients. Before treatment, mean (+/- SD) aspartate aminotransferase levels were higher in the morning than in the previous afternoon (presleep, 34 +/- 20 IU/L; postsleep, 39 +/- 28 IU/L; P = 0.006). The overnight mean increases in aminotransferase levels were less marked after the first night of nasal CPAP treatment (aspartate aminotransferase: from 6 +/- 11 IU/L to 2 +/- 6 IU/L, P = 0.0003; alanine aminotransferase: from 5 +/- 9 IU/L to 2 +/- 6 IU/L, P = 0.006). Leptin levels (n = 23) decreased significantly after treatment (P = 0.0002), whereas insulin resistance (calculated by the homeostasis model assessment method) and triglyceride levels were unchanged. Improvements in aspartate and alanine aminotransferase levels were maintained after 1 and 6 months of nasal CPAP treatment. CONCLUSION: Nasal CPAP therapy may have beneficial effects on serum aminotransferase abnormalities in obese patients who have obstructive sleep apnea.