Increased Serum Type IV Collagen 7-S Levels in Patients with Hepatic Metastasis

Objective: The purpose of this study was to assess scrum type IV collagen 7-S domain (IV 7-S) levels in colorectal cancer patients with hepatic metastasis and to investigate the relation between serum IV 7-S levels and type IV collagenase activities in tumor tissue. Methods: Tissue type IV collagena.se activity and serum IV 7-S were measured in 50 colorectal cancer patients without hepatic metastasis and in 26 patients with hepatic metastasis. Results: Type IV collagenase showed significantly higher activities in colorectal cancer (n = 36) than in colorectal normal mucosa (n = 36) ( p < 0.001), but significantly lower activities were shown in the hepatic metastatic tumor (n = 18) than in the primary tumor (n = 36) and normal liver tissue (n = 18) ( p < 0.001). No significant correlation was (bund between type IV collagenase activities in the tumor and serum IV 7-S levels. Colorectal cancer patients with hepatic metastasis (n = 26) had significantly higher serum IV 7-S levels than those without hepatic metastasis (n = 50) ( p < 0.001). Moreover, serum IV 7-S levels correlated significantly with hepatic metastatic tumor volume in patients with synchronous ( r = 0.719, p < 0.001, n = 26) and in patients with metachronous ( r = 0.910, p < 0.001, n = 16) hepatic metastasis. Conclusion: We suggest that serum IV 7-S levels may increase in hepatic metastasis, not by the degradation of type IV collagen in the primary and secondary tumors, but by the enhanced production of type IV collagen responsive to hepatic metastasis. The measurement of serum IV 7-S levels might be a useful tumor marker of hepatic metastasis reflecting hepatic metastatic tumor volume.     

Clinical significance of the serum levels of the 7S domain of type IV collagen in patients with primary biliary cirrhosis

The serum levels of the 7S domain of type IV collagen were measured with a radio-immunoassay in 42 patients with primary biliary cirrhosis (asymptomatic: n = 28; symptomatic: n = 14), 10 patients with chronic active hepatitis, 10 patients with liver cirrhosis and 10 healthy female controls. Serum levels of the 7S domain of type IV collagen were: 4.28 ng/mL (3.88-4.72 ng/mL; mean and range of mean +/- s.d.) in healthy controls; 5.97 ng/mL (5.07-7.02 ng/mL) in patients with chronic active hepatitis; 8.23 ng/mL (6.40-10.58 ng/mL) in patients with liver cirrhosis; and 6.79 ng/mL (4.76-9.67 ng/mL) in patients with primary biliary cirrhosis. Patients with liver cirrhosis and primary biliary cirrhosis had higher levels of serum 7S domain of type IV collagen than healthy controls (P < 0.001, respectively). Serum levels of the 7S domain of type IV collagen in patients with asymptomatic primary biliary cirrhosis, 5.83 ng/mL (4.55-7.48 ng/mL) were significantly lower than those in symptomatic primary biliary cirrhosis, 9.18 ng/mL (6.53-12.91 ng/mL; P < 0.001). Serum levels of the 7S domain of type IV collagen increased significantly along with advancement of the histological stages of primary biliary cirrhosis. Serum levels of the 7S domain of type IV collagen in the paired sera of eight patients with asymptomatic primary biliary cirrhosis (mean interval 30 months, range 12-48 months) showed significant rises during the intervals (P < 0.05), while serum levels of albumin and total bilirubin did not change significantly during these intervals.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Hepatic fibrosis in rats produced by carbon tetrachloride and dimethylnitrosamine: observations suggesting immunoassays of serum for the 7S fragment of type IV collagen are a more sensitive index of liver damage than immunoassays for the NH2-terminal propeptide of type III procollagen.

Liver fibrosis was induced in rats both with carbon tetrachloride and dimethylnitrosamine. Assays were performed on steady-state levels of messenger RNAs in the liver for several collagens and basement membrane components. The results indicated marked increases in the steady-state levels of messenger RNA for type I collagen, type III collagen, type IV collagen and the B2 component of laminin. In the same animals, immunoassays were performed for serum levels of the N-terminal propeptide of type III procollagen and the 7S fragment of type IV collagen. The results demonstrated an increase in the serum levels of 7S fragment that occurred early and closely paralleled the increase in the steady-state levels of messenger RNA for the alpha 1(IV) chain of type IV collagen. In contrast, no significant increase was seen in the serum levels of the N-propeptide of type III procollagen. The results suggest that immunoassays for 7S fragment of type IV collagen in serum are a more sensitive index for liver cell damage and fibrosis than assays for the N-propeptide of type III procollagen. The results suggest that greater attention should be paid to assays of 7S fragments in assessing hepatic fibrosis in man.     

实验性肝纤维化过程中间质胶原酶活性的动态变化

目的研究肝纤维化形成的各阶段肝组织及血清间质胶原酶活性的变化规律，并明确两者的关系。方法制备人血白蛋白免疫损伤性肝纤维化模型。在不同阶段留取肝组织及血清标本，测定（１）肝组织活化间质胶原酶活性（Ａ）、（２）肝组织潜在间质胶原酶活性（Ｌ）、（３）血清间质胶原酶活性（Ｓ）。结果模型组大鼠的Ａ、Ｌ、Ｓ在致敏阶段无显著变化；在尾静脉攻击中期Ａ、Ｌ．Ｓ三者均较致敏阶段明显增高，且达最高值。此后逐渐下降；但在造模后３个月时仍较致敏阶段为高。整个造模过程中Ａ／Ｌ比值无明显变化。肝组织间质胶原酶活性与血清间质胶原因活性间呈显著正相关。结论在实验性肝纤维化的发生、发展阶段肝组织及血清间质胶原酶活性均明显升高；到了肝硬化阶段，间质胶原酶活性较肝纤维化阶段下降；在肝硬化的自发逆转中，间质胶原酶活性保持在较高水平。血清间质胶原酶活性的变化可反映肝组织间质胶原酶活性的改变。     

Elevated serum type IV collagen: a sensitive indicator of the presence of cirrhosis in haemochromatosis.

BACKGROUND/AIM: Hereditary haemochromatosis can now be diagnosed by genetic testing, although determining the presence or absence of cirrhosis remains crucial to patient management. While many studies have investigated the utility of various serum markers of cirrhosis in chronic liver diseases, few have examined specifically patients with hereditary haemochromatosis. The aim of this study was to assess the utility of serum type IV collagen and serum laminin in diagnosing hepatic fibrosis and cirrhosis in patients with hereditary haemochromatosis. METHODS: The study group consisted of 42 patients with hereditary haemochromatosis and 19 Caucasian controls. Serum type IV collagen, laminin, matrix metalloproteinase-2 (MMP-2) and tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase (TIMP-1) concentrations were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbant assay in serum from patients with haemochromatosis and control subjects. Liver biopsies from patients with haemochromatosis were graded for fibrosis and correlated with serum markers of hepatic fibrosis. RESULTS: Serum type IV collagen concentration was significantly increased in haemochromatosis patients compared to controls (130+/-79 ng/ml vs 81 +/- 17 ng/ml, p<0.05) and was significantly correlated with both the grade of histological fibrosis (r=0.67, p<0.0001) and serum MMP-2 levels (r=0.42, p<0.05). A serum type IV collagen concentration > 115 ng/ml (mean+2 SD of controls) was 100% sensitive and 69% specific in detecting severe (grade 3) fibrosis and cirrhosis. The sensitivity results of serum laminin and TIMP-1 were 11% and 56% respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Elevated serum type IV collagen is a sensitive indicator of the presence of severe fibrosis and cirrhosis in patients with haemochromatosis. Useful markers of hepatic fibrosis in other chronic liver diseases may not be applicable to haemochromatosis.     

Enzyme-linked immunosorbent serum assay specific for the 7S domain of Collagen Type IV (P4NP 7S): A marker related to the extracellular matrix remodeling during liver fibrogenesis

Aim: The present study describes the ability of a newly developed N‐terminal pro‐peptides of type IV collagen 7S domain (P4NP 7S) competitive enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) for describing liver fibrosis. The assay applies a monoclonal antibody specific for a PIVNP 7S epitope 100% homologous in the human, rat, and mouse species. Methods: Monoclonal antibodies were raised against selected P4NP 7S specific sequences. Antibodies were screened and a competitive ELISA assay was developed using a selected antibody. The assay was evaluated in relation to technical performance, and in two preclinical liver fibrosis models; the bile duct ligation model (BDL) and the carbon tetrachloride model (CCL4) both performed in rats. Results: A technically robust P4NP 7S ELISA assay using a monoclonal antibody was produced. In the BDL and CCL4 liver fibrosis models it was observed that the P4NP 7S levels were significantly elevated in rat with liver fibrosis as seen by histology (CCL4: 283% elevated in the highest quartile of total hepatic collagen compared with controls, P = 0.001; BDL: 183% elevated at week 4 compared with sham, P < 0.001) and correlated to the amount of hepatic type IV collagen expression in BDL rats (r = 0.49, P < 0.05) in contrast to sham (r = ?0.12). P4NP 7S also correlated to total collagen in CCL4 treated livers (P < 0.001, r = 0.67), however, not in controls (r = 0.04). Conclusions: This newly developed serum assay specific for P4NP 7S was highly related to liver fibrosis and correlated to extent of hepatic fibrosis. This assay may improve fibrosis quantification.     

Serum laminin and portal pressure in alcoholic cirrhosis. A study of 39 patients

A correlation between serum laminin, a glycoprotein found in basement membranes, and hepatic wedge pressure has previously been reported in a small number of patients with various liver diseases. To study this relationship in patients with alcoholic cirrhosis, we measured the wedge hepatic pressure and venous gradient, in comparison with serum concentrations of laminin and collagen metabolism products: N-terminal peptide of type III procollagen, collagen type I, and collagen type III in 39 patients. A statistically significant correlation was observed between serum laminin and wedged hepatic pressure (r = 0.529; p less than 10(-3] or hepatic venous gradient (r = 0.482; p = 0.002). By contrast, no statistically significant correlation was found between hemodynamic parameters and serum concentrations of N-terminal peptide of type III procollagen, collagen type I or collagen type III. These results suggest that, in patients with alcoholic cirrhosis, portal pressure may be estimated by serum concentration of laminin, and that perisinusoidal fibrosis, especially basement membrane thickening, may play an important role in the pathogenesis of portal hypertension in these patients.     

Serum type IV collagen in various liver diseases in comparison with serum 7S collagen,laminin, and type III procollagen peptide

The clinical significance of the immunoreactive triple helical domain of type IV collagen in serum was evaluated in 73 healthy controls and 161 patients with various biopsy-proven liver diseases. Although serum levels of type III procollagen peptide were increased in all liver diseases, those of type IV collagen, 7S collagen, and laminin were principally increased in chronic liver diseases associated with hepatic fibrogenesis/fibrosis. In both non-alcoholic and alcoholic liver diseases, 7S collagen was increased in serum, while type IV collagen and laminin in serum were particularly increased in alcoholic liver diseases and in hepatocellular carcinoma, in which latter the sensitivity was greater for type IV collagen than for laminin. Gel filtration analysis in Sephacryl S-400 revealed type IV collagen in serum to be a single molecular form with a molecular weight that correspond to type IV collagen, whereas 7S collagen was recognized as several heterogeneous macromolecules. These findings indicate that serum type IV collagen is derived from the type IV protocollagen pool, and is a sensitive marker for the fibrogenetic process in hepatic basement membranes.     

Serum type III procollagen and basement membrane proteins as noninvasive markers of hepatic pathology in Indian childhood cirrhosis

While serum concentrations of antigens of the aminopropeptide of type III procollagen have been considered as indicators of hepatic pathology in adults, the high concentrations normally found in children during growth may preclude their use in pediatric liver disease. To clarify this and to determine the role of other circulating connective tissue-related substances in children, we have measured serum concentrations of antigens related to aminopropeptide of type III procollagen, the 7S domain of type IV collagen and the P1 fragment of laminin in healthy subjects aged 1 month to 4 years and in children with Indian childhood cirrhosis, a particularly aggressive form of liver disease. In healthy subjects, there was a considerable age variation in serum aminopropeptide of type III procollagen but not in 7S collagen or laminin P1. In Indian childhood cirrhosis, all three serum antigens were increased (p less than 0.001) above the upper limit of normal for age. Both the serum 7S collagen and laminin P1 concentrations showed a significant correlation with the degree of intralobular fibrosis and also with the severity of necrosis and cellular infiltration, suggesting that these serum antigens may be a noninvasive means of assessing and monitoring events associated with hepatic fibrosis in Indian childhood cirrhosis. The raised serum aminopropeptide of type III procollagen in Indian childhood cirrhosis did not correlate with any histological parameter assessed. Gel filtration of serum showed that, in healthy subjects, the predominant antigenic form of aminopropeptide of type III procollagen was a degradation peptide smaller than authentic aminopropeptide of type III procollagen; while in Indian childhood cirrhosis the authentic peptide and a larger degradation peptide predominated.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

肝纤维化血清五项标志物的诊断意义

目的探讨慢性肝炎患者血清透明质酸(HA)、Ⅲ型前胶原(PCⅢ)、Ⅳ型胶原(CⅣ)、层粘蛋白(LN)和转化生长因子β1(TGFβ1)对肝纤维化的诊断意义.方法检测116例病毒性肝炎患者血清HA、PCⅢ、CⅣ、LN、TGFβ1水平、并与其中87例慢性肝炎患者的肝组织病理作对比.结果血清HA与肝组织炎症活动度呈较弱的正相关(r＝0393,P<0.05),血清HA、PCⅢ、LN、TGFβ1与肝纤维化程度呈中等程度的正相关(r分别为0584、0454、0441和0612,P<005),血清CⅣ与之则呈较弱的正相关(r=0.319,P<0.05).血清HA诊断肝硬化的AUC明显大于血清PCⅢ、CⅣ、LN、TGFβ1者(AUC=0.904vs0.784、0.815、0.805、0828.P<0.05)血清HA、LN、TGFβ1判断S2期以上肝纤维化的ROC曲线下面积(AUC)明显大于血清PCⅢ、CⅣ者(AUC=0849、0.819、0836vs0702、0721,P<0.05).联合五项指标估计肝纤维化程度,判别分析只选人血清HA和TGFβ1.若将肝纤维化程度S1、S2、S3不作区分,判别效果中各期的差异有显著性(P<005).正确预测率为72.90%.结论五项指标均有助于诊断肝硬化和判断S2期以上肝纤维化,前者应选择血清HA.后者则可选择血清HA、LN或TGFβ1;估计肝纤维化程度以血清HA和TGFβ1同时检测为佳,但仅有助于估计慢性肝炎患者是"无肝纤维化”、"处于肝纤维化阶段”或"肝硬化”,而不能对肝纤维化程度进行精确估计.因而不能取代肝组织病理活检.     

实验性肝硬化中Leptin及其受体的检测与表达意义

目的观察Leptin在实验性肝硬化大鼠血清水平及其受体在肝脏免疫组化表达和定位情况,探讨Leptin及其受体在实验性肝硬化发生病理机制中的作用.方法采用硫代乙酰胺(thioacetamide,TAA)腹腔注射诱导肝硬化动物模型,同时设立正常对照组;测量大鼠体长、体重、Lee'指数,分别测定血清血脂水平;采用酶联免疫分析法(enzyme linked immunosorbant assay,ELISA)检测血清Leptin含量;免疫组化与计算机图像分析技术观察Leptin受体在肝硬化组、正常对照组的表达和定位特点;各组间进行统计学分析.结果肝硬化动物模型复制成功.肝硬化组血清Leptin增高,与对照组比较差异有非常显著性(t=4.338,P＜0.01);肝硬化组Leptin受体表达增高,与正常组比较差异有非常显著性(t=8.104,P＜0.01);肝硬化组血清Leptin水平与胆固醇(TC)正相关(r=0.918,P＜0.05).肝硬化组血清Leptin水平与Leptin受体灰度值呈负相关(r=0.-0.80,P＜0.01).结论Leptin受体在肝硬化的肝脏中表达异常升高,尤其见于再生的肝细胞及窦内皮细胞等,提示Leptin参与肝纤维化的发生.     

Serum tenascin levels in chronic liver disease

To evaluate the diagnostic significance of tenascin, the extracellular matrix glycoprotein in chronic liver disease, serum tenascin levels were measured by a newly developed ELISA in 21 patients with chronic persistent hepatitis, in 55 with chronic active hepatitis, in 59 with liver cirrhosis, in 31 with hepatocellular carcinoma, in 26 with acute hepatitis and in 66 healthy subjects. The serum tenascin level was significantly elevated in the patients with chronic active hepatitis, liver cirrhosis, hepatocellular carcinoma, and acute hepatitis when compared with the healthy subjects (P<0.001). The serum tenascin level also increased with increasing severity of chronic liver diseases. A significant correlation was observed between the serum tenascin levels and serum levels of various extracellular matrix proteins such as type III procollagen N-aminoterminal peptide (PIIIP), laminin and the 7S domain of type IV collagen (P<0.001). A strong positive correlation was observed between the serum tenascin levels and histologic findings, particularly in the degree of hepatic fibrosis. This is the first report documenting serum tenascin level increases in patients with various chronic liver diseases. The measurement of the serum tenascin levels may provide additional information relevant to the study of connective tissue.     

Lysyl oxidase and collagenase in experimental acute and chronic liver injury

Lysyl oxidase and collagenase activities were measured in experimental acute and chronic liver injury in mice and rats, and correlated with collagen synthesis and accumulation. Acute liver injury was induced in mice and rats by a single dose of carbon tetrachloride given by gavage, and also in mice by a single injection of murine hepatitis virus. Chronic liver injury was induced in rats by repeated injections of carbon tetrachloride. Elevated plasma glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase levels, increased hepatic prolyl hydroxylase activity, and increased synthesis of collagen-bound hepatic hydroxyproline occurred in animals with acute as well as with chronic liver injury. However, only chronic liver injury appeared to be associated with fibrosis, increased collagen-bound hydroxyproline content, increased hepatic lysyl oxidase and collagenase activities, as well as with increased serum lysyl oxidase activity. These data suggest that lysyl oxidase and collagenase may play an important role in the collagen accumulation associated with hepatic fibrosis.     

Clinical significance of serum hyaluronan in patients with chronic viral liver disease

In order to elucidate the clinical significance of serum hyaluronan in chronic viral hepatitis, serum hyaluronan concentrations were measured using a sandwich enzyme binding assay in 115 patients with chronic viral hepatitis. These findings were examined in relation to the results of laboratory liver tests, levels of serum markers for fibrosis and liver histological findings. Serum hyaluronan levels increased with the progress of liver disease, particularly in liver cirrhosis. There were no significant differences in serum hyaluronan levels among the cirrhotic patients according to Child's grade. Multivariate analysis showed that the significant independent predictors of serum hyaluronan were serum aspartate aminotransferase (P= 0.020), serum alanine aminotransferase (P= 0.008), serum cholinesterase (P< 0.001), particularly serum type IV collagen 7S domain (P< 0.0001), and the histological degree of liver fibrosis (P< 0.0001). These findings suggest that elevated serum hyaluronan levels are closely related to the severity of liver fibrosis. We assessed the predictive value of serum hyaluronan in differentiating cirrhosis from chronic hepatitis, constructing receiver operating curves; we found that serum hyaluronan was a better test for diagnosing cirrhosis than serum type IV collagen 7S domain and laboratory liver tests.     

氨甲酰磷酸合成酶-Ⅰ和鸟氨酸氨基甲酰转移酶与肝性脑病的关系

目的 探讨血清氨甲酰磷酸合成酶Ⅰ(CPS-Ⅰ)和鸟氨酸氨基甲酰转移酶(OCT)在肝性脑病(HE)发生中的作用.方法 2008年1月-2009年12月在我院住院的120例肝硬化患者,其中HE患者25例,非肝性脑病(非HE)患者95例.对照组为我院健康体检正常者60例.收集研究对象的血清和血浆,采用酶联免疫吸附试验方法测定血清CPS-Ⅰ、OCT,VITROS-250干化学分析仪测定血氨.分析HE组、非HE组、对照组CPS-Ⅰ和OCT水平;分析肝硬化患者CPS-Ⅰ、OCT与肝功能及血氨的相关性;分析CPS-Ⅰ、OCT水平与肝硬化患者Child-Pugh分级之间的相关性.应用SPSS15.0软件进行数据分析,采用x2和t检验,计量资料两组间比较采用成组t检验,多组间的比较采用方差分析、q检验,两变量相关分析采用Pearson相关分析法.结果 HE组血清CPS-Ⅰ、OCT水平分别为(143.3±48.5)U/L和(297.0±102.6)×10 U/L,非HE组分别为(180.3±51.5)U/L和(351.8±109.0)×10 U/L,t值分别为2.53和2.78,P值均＜0.01;HE组、非HE组血清CPS-Ⅰ、OCT水平均低于正常对照组,t值分别为3.21、4.16和2.12、3.15,P值均＜0.05.CPS-Ⅰ与OCT相关性好,r=0.946,P＜0.05;CPS-Ⅰ、OCT与ALT、AST呈负相关,r值分别为-0.284、-0.239、-0.303、-0.322,P值均＜0.05.肝硬化患者CPS-Ⅰ、OCT水平和Child分级密切相关,F值分别为10.13,20.28,P值均＜0.01.结论 肝硬化患者CPS-Ⅰ和OCT活性影响血氨水平,CPS-Ⅰ和OCT与肝性脑病的发生密切相关.     

肝炎后肝硬化患者血清瘦素测定的临床意义

目的　检测肝炎肝硬化患者血清瘦素水平 ,并探讨瘦素与肝硬化患者肝功能、胰岛素抵抗及其营养参数之间的关系。方法　 2 0 0 2 - 0 3～ 2 0 0 3- 0 1河北医科大学第二医院 32例男性肝炎肝硬化患者及 14名男性健康受试者均测定空腹血糖 (FPG)、空腹胰岛素 (FINS)和瘦素 ,同时测量肝硬化患者的营养参数 ,并对肝硬化患者进行Child -pugh分级。结果　肝硬化患者血清瘦素水平显著高于正常对照组 (P <0 . 0 5 ) ;但依据Child -pugh分级后的 3组肝硬化患者间的血清瘦素水平差异无显著性 (P >0 . 0 5 ) ;血清瘦素水平与体重指数 (BMI)、三头肌皮褶厚度 (TSF)及FINS均呈显著性正相关 (r值分别为 0 . 343、0 .340和 0 . 35 2 ,P值均 <0 . 0 5 ) ,而与肌酐身高指数 (CHI)及胰岛素敏感指数 (ISI)均呈负相关 (r值分别为 - 0 .36 0和 - 0 . 4 16 ,P值均 <0 . 0 5 )。结论　肝炎肝硬化患者血清瘦素水平的改变可能与肝功能无关 ,但参与了肝硬化的营养不良和胰岛素抵抗。     

Serum carboxy terminal propeptide of type I procollagen to amino terminal propeptide of type III procollagen ratio is a better indicator than each single propeptide and 7S domain type IV collagen for progressive fibrogenesis in chronic viral liver diseases

Twenty chronic viral hepatitis patients, mainly with hepatitis B related with progression to liver cirrhosis were included for an assay of serum collagen markers: PICP (carboxy terminal propeptide of type I procollagen), PIIINP (amino terminal propeptide of type III procollagen), and 7S-IV (7S-domain type IV collagen). PICP is increased in 20% of chronic hepatitis patients with a mean of 190.3 ng/ml, which is not different from that of the follow-up concentration in liver cirrhosis, where 35% of cases were abnormal with a mean of 220.5 ng/ml. The serum level and percent of abnormality of PIIICP in chronic hepatitis and in liver cirrhosis are 23.5 ng/ml vs 14.8 ng/ml and 90% vs 100%, respectively (P>0.05). PICP/PIIINP is significantly higher during liver cirrhosis (15.11 vs 10.08,P<0.05). PICP during chronic hepatitis is not related to serum biochemical changes, while PICP during liver cirrhosis and PIIINP are correlated with hepatic enzymes. 7S-IV in chronic hepatitis and in liver cirrhosis is 14.0 ng/ml vs 10.9 ng/ml, respectively; both were positively correlated with hepatic enzymes. These results suggest that PICP/PIIINP is a better indicator of hepatic fibrogenesis than either PICP or PIIINP alone in viral hepatitis. A ratio of more than 12 is suggestive of liver cirrhosis.     

碱性成纤维细胞生长因子与慢性乙型肝炎及肝纤维化临床检测指标的关系

目的观察碱性成纤维细胞生长因子(b-FGF)在不同肝纤维化分期(S)肝组织中表达的差异性及其与临床检测常用的肝功能指标、肝纤维化指标、HBV DNA复制水平以及肝硬化Child-Pugh分级之间的关系。方法选取122例HBV引起的慢性肝炎及肝硬化患者,空腹静脉血检测:(1)肝功能指标:ALT、TBil、Alb;(2)肝纤维化指标:透明质酸(HA)、Ⅲ型前胶原(PCⅢ)、层粘连蛋白(LN)、Ⅳ型胶原(CⅣ);(3)HBV DNA复制水平;(4)对临床诊断肝硬化患者计算其Child-Pugh评分。行肝脏穿刺活检术后,经病理作纤维化分期(S1～S4)。免疫组织化学法测定肝组织中b-FGF在不同病理分期的表达及定位特点,半定量分析法计算b-FGF值,观察b-FGF与肝功能指标、肝纤维化指标、HBV DNA水平以及肝硬化Child-Pugh分级之间的关系。结果 (1)肝纤维化S1～S4期肝组织中b-FGF的表达部位及水平不同;(2)肝纤维化S1～S4期肝细胞中b-FGF的表达与肝纤维化分期(S1～S4)呈显著正相关(r=0.542,P<0.01);(3)不同肝纤维化分期中b-FGF的表达差异与患者ALT、TBil及Alb进行比较,其差异无统计学意义(P>0.05),不同肝纤维化分期患者,进行HBV DNA检测,其差异无统计学意义(P>0.05);(4)不同肝纤维化分期中,b-FGF与血清纤维化指标HA、PCⅢ、LN、CⅣ之间呈正相关;(5)b-FGF的表达与临床Child-Pugh分级无明显相关性。结论 b-FGF的表达与肝脏纤维化程度、肝纤维化指标有正相关关系,与患者ALT、TBil、Alb、Child-Pugh评分、及HBV DNA水平无关。     

Serum Prolidase and IGF-1 as Non-invasive Markers of Hepatic Fibrosis During Four Different Periods After Bile-duct Ligation in Rats

AIM: Our aim was to study the correlation of serum prolidase and insulin like growth factor-1 to liver collagen and assess their utility as markers of fibrosis during four different periods of hepatic injury and fibrosis after bile-duct ligation in rats. METHODS: Forty-eight Wistar albino rats were included in the study and divided into six groups. Seven rats served as the control group (Control), while seven rats had a sham operation (Sham group). Thirty-four rats underwent bile-duct ligation. Bile-duct ligated (BDL) animals were sacrificed at the end of the first week (Group 1; n = 8), second week (Group 2; n = 8), third week (Group 3; n = 9), or fourth week (Group 4; n = 9) after BDL. Liver collagen, liver prolidase, and serum prolidase and IGF-I, were determined. RESULTS: There was a positive correlation between liver collagen and serum prolidase (r(s): 0.843, P < 0.001) levels and a negative correlation among liver collagen and serum IGF-1 levels (r(s): -0.667, P < 0.001). The peak levels of liver collagen and serum prolidase were reached in the third week while the lowest levels of IGF-1 were found at the end of the third week. CONCLUSION: Serum prolidase and IGF-1 either independently or in combination correlate with liver collagen content in hepatic fibrosis.     

Correlation Between Stellate Cell Activation and Serum Fibrosis Markers in Choline-Deficient l-Amino Acid-Defined Diet-Induced Rat Liver Fibrosis

The aim of this study was to investigate the association of stellate cell activation with serum fibrosis markers in a rat model of hepatic fibrosis prepared using a choline-deficient l-amino acid (CDAA) defined diet. CDAA diet administration resulted in increased liver hydroxyproline contents in a time-dependent manner with activated stellate cells, expressing -smooth muscle actin (-SMA) as well as increased serum concentrations of amino-terminal procollagen type III peptide (PIIIP) and the 7S fragment of type IV collagen. Hydroxyproline content of the liver showed a closer correlation with the serum 7S (r = 0.75, P < 0.01) concentration than with the serum PIIIP (r = 0.51, P < 0.01) concentration. The percent area of -SMA-positive cells showed stronger correlation with the serum PIIIP concentration (r = 0.85, P < 0.01) than with the 7S concentration (r = 0.50, P < 0.01). These results indicate that the serum PIIIP concentration reflects the activity of fibrogenesis, while the serum 7S concentration reflects the accumulation of collagen fibers in the liver.