Clinical significance of serum type-III procollagen aminopropeptide in hepatitis B virus-related liver diseases

Serum type-III procollagen aminopropeptide (PIIIP) has been considered a marker of hepatic fibrogenesis. In an attempt to evaluate the clinical significance of serum PIIIP in patients with hepatitis B virus (HBV)-related liver diseases, the levels of the peptide were measured in 66 healthy adults and 200 patients with HBV-related liver diseases. As compared with the healthy adults (12.3 +/- 3.1 ng/ml), the serum PIIIP levels were significantly elevated in patients with acute hepatitis (17.4 +/- 6.6 ng/ml), chronic persistent hepatitis (18.3 +/- 4.9 ng/ml), and inactive liver cirrhosis (22.1 +/- 7.1 ng/ml). The PIIIP levels in patients with chronic active hepatitis (CAH) (33.9 +/- 23.1 ng/ml) were the highest among HBV-related liver diseases and had a tendency to increase with the severity of CAH. Of the liver-diseased patients with serum PIIIP levels greater than 30 ng/ml, 91% had a recent episode of severe hepatocellular damage, whereas 56% of patients with greatly elevated serum liver aminotransferase levels had no associated high increase in serum PIIIP levels. Thus, we suggest that fibrogenesis in HBV-related liver diseases is initiated by severe hepatocellular damage, but liver damage can also take place without prominent hepatic fibrogenesis. Serum PIIIP may be a serum marker to predict the active fibrogenesis of HBV-related liver diseases.     

Serum markers of liver fibrosis and histologic severity of fibrosis in resected liver

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Serum concentrations of the 7S fragment of type IV collagen (7S collagen), amino-terminal propeptide of type III procollagen (PIIIP), and hyaluronic acid (HA) have been reported to serve as serologic markers of liver fibrosis in hepatitis and cirrhosis. We investigated whether these fibrosis markers reliably reflect histologic changes in the livers of patients with hepatocellular carcinoma. METHODOLOGY: Subjects included 165 patients undergoing liver resection for hepatocellular carcinoma. Most were seropositive for chronic hepatitis B or C. Histopathologic changes in liver tissue resected with the tumor were scored according to Knodell's histologic activity index. Serum was sampled for assays shortly before surgery. RESULTS: Significant correlations were found between hepatitis activity score and 7S collagen, PIIIP, and HA. Concentrations of 7S collagen differed significantly between activity grades, but differences were not significant for PIIIP or HA. Significant correlations were found between fibrosis staging score and all these three markers. When patients were divided according to activity grade, 7S collagen showed stronger correlation with fibrosis staging score than did PIIIP or HA. CONCLUSIONS: The 7S collagen fragment correlated more strongly than PIIIP or HA with stage and activity grade in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma. However, overlapping of results between histologically defined groups appeared to limit clinical diagnostic usefulness of all markers in individual patients.     

基于肝组织病理动态变化情况探讨血清学指标在肝纤维化诊断中的意义

目的基于药物干预前后的肝组织病理动态变化情况，探讨肝功能、肝纤维化血清学指标在慢性乙型肝炎肝纤维化诊断和预后判断中的价值。方法根据扶正化瘀胶囊抗慢性乙型肝炎肝纤维化多中心，随机、双盲，对照临床试验中93例（包括试验组和对照组）治疗6个月前后2次肝活体组织病理学检查的资料，并依据肝组织纤维化程度减轻和未减轻（或继续加重）的情况将病例分为两组（减轻组36例，未减轻组57例），分析该两组肝组织炎症、肝功能、肝纤维化血清学指标及相应的血常规变化规律。结果纤维化减轻组伴有肝组织炎症程度的显著减轻。药物干预后，纤维化减轻组的血清透明质酸和Ⅲ型前胶原肽含量明显下降（t=3．34与t=3．17，P值均〈0．01），并显著低于未减轻组；但层黏连蛋白和Ⅳ型胶原含量差异均无统计学意义。纤维化减轻组伴有血清白蛋白升高（t=3．24，P〈0．01）及γ-谷氨酰转肽酶，天冬氨酸氨基转移酶活性和凝血酶原时间的下降，而未减轻组无类似变化。结论慢性乙型肝炎肝纤维化患者血清γ-谷氨酰转肽酶，天冬氨酸氨基转移酶活性，凝血酶原时间，白蛋白、血清透明质酸和Ⅲ型前胶原肽含量的变化有助于肝纤维化减轻与否的判断和药物疗效评价，而血清层黏连蛋白和Ⅳ型胶原含量在肝纤维化诊断中的价值有待商榷。     

血清纤维化指标对肝纤维化诊断价值的研究

目的评价血清纤维化指标透明质酸（HA）、Ⅳ型胶原（CⅣ）、Ⅲ型前胶原肽（PⅢP）、层黏连蛋白（LN）对肝纤维化诊断的价值.方法对确诊的慢性乙型肝炎患者50例和健康人18例,测定血清纤维化指标水平,并进行肝组织纤维化分期.根据受试者工作特征曲线判别4项指标对于肝纤维化分期的诊断价值.结果血清HA、CⅣ、PⅢP和肝脏组织炎症分级呈较弱正相关（r分别为0.430、0.382和0.300,P＜0.05）.血清HA、CⅣ与肝脏组织纤维化分期呈中度正相关（r分别为0.614、0.708,P＜0.05）.血清HA、CⅣ水平随肝纤维化的进展程度而升高.血清HA诊断早期肝硬化（S4）的受试者工作特征曲线下面积（AUC）大于血清CⅣ、PⅢP和LN（AUC=0.967比0.932、0.659、0.403）.血清CⅣ诊断肝纤维化（S1～S4）的AUC大于血清HA、PⅢP和LN（AUC=0.853比0.680、0.536、0.487）.血清LN对于肝组织分级或分期均无统计学意义.联合HA＋CⅣ检测比单一指标有更高的特异度.结论血清纤维化指标对肝纤维化进程有一定的预测意义,但不能对肝纤维化精确分期,因此不能取代肝组织病理活检.联合多项指标检测可在一定程度上提高检测效率.寻找新的血清标志物和联合其他标志物是肝纤维化无创性研究的趋势所在.     

肝癌和癌旁组织中乙型肝炎表面抗原及丙型肝炎抗原表达与肝纤维化标志物的相关性

目的研究肝癌组织、癌旁组织中乙型肝炎表面抗原(HBsAg)、丙型肝炎抗原表达与血清肝纤维化标志物的相关性。方法采用免疫组织化学法对肝癌组织及癌旁组织中的HBsAg、丙型肝炎抗原表达进行了标记和分析,同时检测其血清肝纤维化标志物水平,并研究它们的相关性。结果肝癌血清肝纤维化标志物水平在乙型、丙型肝炎病毒混合感染组中最高,单独乙型、丙型肝炎病毒感染组次之,无病毒感染组最低,肝癌组织、癌旁组织中HBsAg、丙型肝炎抗原表达与透明质酸、层黏连蛋白、Ⅳ型胶原蛋白呈正相关,相关系数分别为0.60、0.45、0.46,P值均<0.01。结论肝癌遵循慢性病毒性肝炎、肝硬化、肝癌的发展趋势,有病毒感染的肝癌组织,其血清肝纤维化水平明显高于无病毒感染者。一方面病毒的感染是肝癌发生的原因,另一方面长期的病毒血症会加重肝脏组织病变,所以病毒性肝炎的抗病毒干预治疗对肝癌的预后有着积极的意义。     

Clinicopathological study of lymphocyte attachment to endothelial cells (endothelialitis) in various liver diseases

An attachment of lymphocytes to the vascular wall, a feature called "endothelialitis" (ETL) or "endotheliitis", was investigated in various liver biopsies, including acute hepatitis (AH), hepatic infectious mononucleosis (IM), drug-induced hepatitis, alcoholic hepatitis and fibrosis, chronic persistent hepatitis (CPH), chronic active hepatitis (CAH), liver cirrhosis (LC), primary biliary cirrhosis (PBC), nonspecific reactive hepatitis (NSRH), and cases with a variety of diseases having almost normal liver histology as control material. Although ETL has been considered to be nearly pathognomic of graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) and acute transplant rejection, ETL was found in both portal and central veins with a variable incidence, not only in all categories of liver diseases, but also in the control group. The incidence of central vein ETL was significantly higher in AH, CAH, PBC, IM, alcoholic fibrosis, and NSRH than that of the control group, and that of portal vein ETL was significantly higher in AH, CPH, CAH, LC, PBC, IM, and alcoholic fibrosis. Even under the light microscope, lymphocytes attached to the endothelial cells had irregular cytoplasmic processes making contact with endothelial cells. Also lymphocytes located beneath the endothelial lining were frequently found. When ETL-positive and -negative cases in the same category were compared, the levels of serum glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase (GOT) and glutamic pyruvic transaminase (GPT) were usually higher in the ETL-positive group, and statistically significant differences were observed in CPH, CAH, LC, PBC and NSRH. In chronic hepatitis, the occurrence of portal vein ETL paralleled the histologic activity of portal inflammation, whereas central vein endothelialitis was associated with active parenchymal inflammation such as sinusoidal lymphocyte infiltration and spotty hepatocyte necrosis, indicating that ETL may be a phenomenon more frequently associated with active hepatic inflammation. Immunohistochemical observations revealed that about 70% of lymphocytes attached to the endothelial cells were T cells, while about 10% were B cells. These data indicate that ETL in the liver is not specifically pathognomonic for GVHD and rejection of liver transplants, and is universally found in a variety of liver diseases with a varying incidence and activity, related to the activity of hepatic inflammation, portal vein ETL occurring in relation to active portal inflammation and central vein ETL to parenchymal inflammation. Thus ETL is considered to be an intimate T lymphocyte-endothelial cell interaction universally associated with active hepatic inflammation; it may be an important phenomenon leading to accumulation of cellular exudates and their reaction at the site of antigen in the tissue.     

Relationship between serum concetrations of type III procollagen, hyluronic acid and histopathological findings in the liver of HCV-positive blood donors

BACKGROUND: Serologic markers have been proposed for monitoring hepatic fibrosis in chronic liver disease. Among fibrosis markers, type III procollagen (PIIIP) and hyaluronic acid have been studied in these patients. AIM: To evaluate the association between these serum markers with histological findings. METHODS: A prospective cross-sectional study was carried out with HCV-positive blood donors. The studied population included men and women whose age ranged from 18 to 60 years, with elevated liver function tests [ALT levels > 1.5 times the normal value and alterations of two or more of the following: any changes in the levels of ALT, aspartate aminotransferase, conjugated bilirrubin, gammaglobulin, gammaglutamyltranspeptidase, albumin, platelet count; alkaline phosphatase levels >1.5 times the normal value, or prothrombin time below 70% and above 60%]. Fourty-nine patients were submitted to liver biopsy, blood analysis of PIIIP, hyaluronic acid, besides liver function tests. RESULTS: Liver function tests were not associated with tissular fibrosis, as assessed by ALT (>1.5 times above normal, fibrosis risk=18.8%; <1.5 times, 11.8%). Elevated PIIIP was correlated with 66.7% chance of fibrosis, whereas normal levels, 9.3%. Hyaluronic acid, when elevated, gave a chance of 33.3% of fibrosis; when normal, 12.5%. CONCLUSION: There was no association between liver function tests, hyaluronic acid and fibrosis. However, PIIIP was related with liver fibrosis. Maybe, this marker should be useful to assess fibrosis in patients with chronic hepatitis C.     

慢性肝炎患者血清纤维化指标的检测及其意义

目的：探讨慢性肝炎患者血清纤维化指标[血清透明质酸（HA）、Ⅲ型前胶原（PCⅢ）、Ⅳ型胶原（Ⅳ－C）、层黏蛋白（LN）]的临床实用价值。方法：对2600例慢性肝炎轻、中、重度患者,用放免法检测血清HA、PCⅢ、Ⅳ－C、LN,并对其中的280例进行肝穿刺标本病理组织学检查,作肝脏炎症活动度分级、肝纤维化程度分期及慢性肝炎病理组织学分度,探讨它们与纤维化指标之间关系。结果：2600例轻、中、重度慢性肝炎患者,4项指标之间均有明显差异（P＜0．001）。这4项指标均与肝脏炎症活动度分级、肝纤维化程度分期及慢性肝炎的分度有关。相关系数HA分别为0．554、0．548和0．468;PCⅢ为0．495、0．42和0．335;Ⅳ-C为0．406．0．404和0．412;LN为0．214、0．204和0．184。结论：血清学检测对慢性肝炎的诊断有较大的临床指导作用,但对某一患者评价这些指标的意义时,应结合肝功能检查．B超检查及临床表现,作全面分析。     

Serum hyaluronic acid reflects the effect of interferon treatment on hepatic fibrosis in patients with chronic hepatitis C

Changes in serum hyaluronic acid (HA) in 35 patients treated with interferon (IFN) were studied and the histological change in fibrosis was analysed. Serum HA levels and hepatitis C virus (HCV) RNA were followed from the start of therapy to 12 months after completion of treatment. Histological changes in pre- and post-treatment liver biopsies were assessed using a modified Knodell's scoring system. The serum levels of HA (r = 0.79; P<0.0001) correlated with the degree of fibrosis more closely than with that of amino terminal peptides of type III procollagen (PIIIP; r = 0.45; P<0.05) or type IV collagen (IV-C; r = 0.42; P<0.05). Only complete responders (CR) had a significant decrease in serum levels of HA and IV-C (P<0.05), in parallel with histological improvement (P<0.01). Neither partial responders (PR) nor non-responders (NR) had significant changes in histological scores and in serum levels of fibrotic markers. Significant differences were observed between CR and NR, both in HA levels (P<0.01) and PIIIP levels (P<0.05) 12 months after the cessation of treatment. These results suggest that serum HA is an indicator of the extent of fibrosis in chronic hepatitis C. Serial determinations of serum HA levels may be of use for monitoring the histological response of hepatic fibrosis to IFN treatment in chronic hepatitis C.     

复方861治疗慢性乙型肝炎肝纤维化与早期肝硬化的临床研究

目的观察复方861对慢性乙型肝炎肝纤维化、早期肝硬化患者的抗肝纤维化效果.方法采用随机、双盲、安慰剂对照的方法,以治疗前后肝穿病理组织学为评价指标,对6家医院的慢性乙型肝炎肝纤维化患者136例,按照随机编码分别服用复方861胶囊或安慰剂胶囊共24周,观察治疗前后患者症状、体征、肝功能、肝纤维化指标[IV胶原(C Ⅳ)、层黏连蛋白(L N)、Ⅲ型前胶原N端肽(P ⅢP)、透明质酸(HA)]、基质金属蛋白酶1、2、9(MMP1、2、9)及金属蛋白酶组织抑制因子(TIMP1、2)水平以及肝病理组织学的变化.结果 5 2例治疗组、5 0例安慰剂组的患者完成治疗前后肝穿刺.治疗组患者治疗前、后血清丙氨酸氨基转移酶(ALT)分别为(68.2±68.6)U/L和(45.9±26.1)U/L、天冬氨酸氨基转移酶(AST)分别为(60.4 ± 62.6)U/L和(46.7 ± 39.0)U/L,安慰剂组患者治疗前、后血清ALT分别为(65.3±48.3)U/L和(85.4±115.5)U/L,AST分别为(60.4±44.6)U/L和(77.6±89.6)U/L,两组比较差异均有显著性,t=2.315和t=2.168,P＜0.05.治疗组血清HA、PⅢP、CⅣ、LN水平均较治疗前有所下降,但与安慰剂组相比,差异无显著性.治疗组治疗前、后血清TIMP1分别为(172.0±79.6)ng/m1和(133.5 ± 66.8)ng/ml,MMP9分别为(116.1±88.2)ng/ml和(80.4±79.0)ng/ml,较治疗前均明显下降,f=2.723和t=2.433,P＜0.05.复方861治疗前、后血清TIMP1/MMP1比值分别为4 8.3±96.3和19.9 ± 28.0,较治疗前下降,而对照组则较治疗前升高,治疗前后差值相比,两组差异有显著性,t=2.248,P＜0.05.治疗组治疗前、后肝组织炎症计分分别为14.0±6.0和10.2±6.1、纤维化计分分别为11.9±6.5和8.2=4.5,病理图像分析胶原相对含量分别为18.9%±9.5%和14.9%± 8.4%,t值为3.354～2.202,P值均＜0.05;S2期逆转率为38.9%,S 3期为53.3%,S4期为78.6%,总逆转率52.0%;安慰剂组分别为14.3%、25.0%、41.7%、20.0%,两组差异有显著性,x2值为9.766～4.478,P值均＜0.05.复方861治疗组未见明显不良反应.结论复方861治疗慢性乙型肝炎肝纤维化、早期肝硬化是可以逆转的.     

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.     

Extracellular matrix formation in piecemeal necrosis: immunoelectron microscopic study.

Immunolocalization of Type I, Type III and Type IV collagens, laminin and prolyl hydroxylase (PH), a key enzyme in collagen synthesis, was examined to clarify the fibrotic process in chronic, active liver disease. In piecemeal necrosis of chronic, active hepatitis (CAH) and active liver cirrhosis (LC), fat-storing cells (FSCs) and transitional cells (TSCs), containing abundant rough endoplasmic reticulum (RER), were increased in number and stained intensely for PH. Immunodeposits of extracellular matrix (ECM) components were found in the RER, Golgi apparatus (GA) and vesicles of these cells, especially in cases with marked inflammation. On the other hand, in the periportal areas of chronic, persistent hepatitis (CPH) or inactive LC, immunoreaction of ECM components was seldom found in the RER of FSCs and TSCs. In the portal tract, immunodeposits of ECM components were seldom found in the organelles of fibroblasts, although ECM was increased there. These findings indicate that FSCs and TSCs in piecemeal necrosis might play a role in the production of ECM components in the progression of fibrosis during the development of chronic active liver disease. In addition, ECM component production by FSCs and TSCs is associated with marked inflammation.     

The serum concentrations of the aminoterminal propeptide of procollagen type III and the hepatic content of mRNA for the alpha 1 chain of procollagen type III in carbon tetrachloride-induced rat liver fibrogenesis.

Serum concentrations of the aminoterminal propeptide of procollagen type III (PIIIP) are elevated in fibrogenic diseases of the liver, but the mechanism of elevation is not fully understood. To investigate the mechanism, we compared serum concentrations of PIIIP with total liver content of mRNA for the pro alpha 1 (III) chain, in rats with carbon tetrachloride (CCl4)-induced liver fibrosis. Adult male rats received CCl4 in mineral oil twice weekly for 8 weeks and were compared with age-matched controls. Serum concentrations of PIIIP were measured by a specific radioimmunoassay; molecular sizes of PIIIP in serum were also determined. Pro alpha 1 (III) mRNA content in the liver was quantitated by RNA slot-blot hybridization and chemical measurement of total hepatic RNA content. Total collagen content of the liver was estimated by hydroxyproline measurement. All CCl4-treated animals had septal fibrosis after 4 weeks, and evidence of cirrhosis (regenerative nodules, ascites) was seen after 7 weeks of treatment. Serum concentrations of PIIIP and pro alpha 1 (III) mRNA content in the liver were correlated well until cirrhosis has established. They increased simultaneously after 3 weeks of treatment, 1 week before any elevation of hepatic hydroxyproline could be detected. After cirrhosis has established, pro alpha 1 (III) mRNA content in the liver decreased markedly, but serum PIIIP levels continued to be elevated. Hepatic hydroxyproline plateaued after 5 weeks. The molecular sizes of serum PIIIP indicate the release of intact native procollagen peptide during the development of cirrhosis. In conclusion, at least in CCl4-induced liver fibrosis in the rats, serum PIIIP levels can be used as a fibrogenic marker for the period progressing to cirrhosis. But the use of the serum PIIIP levels in cirrhosis seems to be limited by factors other than liver fibrogenesis.     

Serum concentrations of the carboxyterminal cross-linking domain of procollagen type IV (NC1) and the aminoterminal propeptide of procollagen type III (PIIIP) in chronic liver disease

Serum concentrations of both the carboxyterminal cross-linking domain (NC1) of procollagen type IV and the aminoterminal propeptide of procollagen type III (PIIIP) were measured by specific radioimmunoassays in 60 patients with chronic liver disease and 50 healthy controls. Compared with controls (5.3 +/- 1.3 ng/ml, mean +/- S.D.), NC1 concentrations were significantly elevated in patients with chronic active hepatitis (10.2 +/- 2.0 ng/ml) and liver cirrhosis (13.5 +/- 3.0 ng/ml), but not in chronic persistent hepatitis (6.0 +/- 0.9 ng/ml). The concentrations in patients with active liver cirrhosis were significantly higher than those in patients with inactive cirrhosis. Serum concentrations of PIIIP in controls, parients with chronic persistent hepatitis, chronic active hepatitis and cirrhosis were 5.8 (4.3-7.9), 5.3 (3.5-7.9), 17.5 (10.6-28.9), 16.7 (10.4-26.7) ng/ml, respectively (logarithmic mean and range of mean +/- S.D. after retransformation). Patients with liver cirrhosis had significantly higher concentrations of NC1 in serum than those with chronic active hepatitis, but there was no difference in serum PIIIP concentrations between the two groups. These data suggest an alteration of type IV collagen metabolism in chronic liver disease. In liver cirrhosis, the metabolism of collagen IV is apparently different from that of collagen type III; serum NC1 determinations may therefore provide additional information on chronic liver disease, particularly in patients with cirrhosis with a normal level of serum PIIIP. Further follow-up studies as well as investigations related to the basic mechanism of the elevation of these peptides in serum are needed in order to understand their clinical significance fully.     

A diagnostic marker of autoimmune chronic active hepatitis: liver plasma membrane antibody in the serum absorbed with particulate fraction of kidney homogenate

The sera absorbed with the particulate fraction of rabbit kidney homogenate (RK) were tested for the antibody against liver plasma membrane (LPM-Ab) by the radiometric assay method. After incubation of the isolated rabbit liver plasma membrane (RLPM) with appropriately diluted serum, IgG bound to RLPM (IgG-RLPM) was determined using 125I-labelled Staphylococcal protein A. IgG-RLPM in each subject tested was expressed in arbitrary units, that is, the multiple of the mean radioactivity associated with RLPM in 35 control subjects. Thus IgG-RLPM was 1.00 (mean) +/- 0.23 (SD) in the control subjects, 1.13 +/- 0.30 in 9 patients with chronic persistent hepatitis (CPH), 1.13 +/- 0.52 in 15 with chronic active hepatitis (CAH), 1.34 +/- 0.38 in 23 with liver cirrhosis (LC) and 3.45 +/- 0.73 in 5 with autoimmune CAH. F(ab')2 fragments from a patient with autoimmune CAH and a control subject decreased IgG-RLPM by 86.4 +/- 6.35 and -5.2 +/- 14.9%, respectively, in four patients with autoimmune CAH. LPM-Ab was detected in 0, 20.0 and 17.4% in the patients with CPH, CAH and LC, respectively. All of the patients with autoimmune CAH were positive for LPM-Ab. The absorption of the sera positive for LPM-Ab with RK decreased IgG-RLPM in various extents. In two of five patients with autoimmune CAH and two of seven patients with CAH or LC, the majority of LPM-Ab was cross-reactive with RK.     

Extracellular matrix formation in piecemeal necrosis: immunoelectron microscopic study

ABSTRACT— Immunolocalization of Type I, Type III and Type IV collagens, laminin and prolyl hydroxylase (PH), a key enzyme in collagen synthesis, was examined to clarify the fibrotic process in chronic, active liver disease. In piecemeal necrosis of chronic, active hepatitis (CAH) and active liver cirrhosis (LC), fat-storing cells (FSCs) and transitional cells (TSCs), containing abundant rough endoplasmic reticulum (RER), were increased in number and stained intensely for PH. Immunodeposits of extracellular matrix (ECM) components were found in the RER, Golgi apparatus (GA) and vesicles of these cells, especially in cases with marked inflammation. On the other hand, in the periportal areas of chronic, persistent hepatitis (CPH) or inactive LC, immunoreaction of ECM components was seldom found in the RER of FSCs and TSCs. In the portal tract, immunodeposits of ECM components were seldom found in the organelles of fibroblasts, although ECM was increased there. These findings indicate that FSCs and TSCs in piecemeal necrosis might play a role in the production of ECM components in the progression of fibrosis during the development of chronic active liver disease. In addition, ECM component production by FSCs and TSCs is associated with marked inflammation.     

Is determination of serum N-terminal procollagen type III peptide (sPIIIP) a marker of hepatic fibrosis?

Serum N-terminal procollagen type III peptide (sPIIIP) levels were evaluated in 58 patients affected by chronic liver disease, in order to assess the usefulness of sPIIIP as a marker of hepatic fibrosis. In 45 patients sPIIIP was also correlated to liver histology; biopsies were scored by two of the authors, without knowledge of diagnosis. Compared to normal controls, sPIIIP concentration was found to be significantly elevated in chronic active hepatitis (CAH) and in cirrhosis, but not in fatty liver. Patients affected by chronic persistent hepatitis (CPH) had values of sPIIIP higher than normal in four of 11 cases considered. A close correlation was found between sPIIIP values and histological parameters of inflammation, necrosis, and degeneration, while the relationship between sPIIIP levels and fibrosis was weaker. These data suggest that sPIIIP determination may reflect the extent of inflammatory changes in the liver; but it cannot be considered a reliable index of hepatic fibrosis.     

代偿性肝硬化无创性诊断指标的筛选及评价

目的：比较肝纤维化血清标志物对慢性乙型肝炎（CHB）代偿性肝硬化的诊断评价，筛选可行的无创性诊断标志物。方法：350例CHB患者经皮肝脏穿刺活检术行病理组织学检查，B型超声波检查肝硬化图像，检测血清透明质酸（HA）、Ⅲ型前胶原肽（PCⅢ）、层黏连蛋白（LN）及Ⅳ型胶原（CⅣ）等肝纤维化标志物。用临床流行病学方法确定诊断截断值，并对各项指标作诊断评价分析，比较不同标志物的诊断评价指标。结果：85例CHB患者经肝脏活检术确认为代偿性肝硬化，81例经B型超声波检查有肝硬化图像，ROC曲线下面积以HA最高；血清HA、PCⅢ、LN及CⅣ对代偿期肝硬化的诊断截断值分别为154．35μg/L、198．44μg/L，137．58μg/L和100．80μg/L，对其应诊断灵敏度分别为82．4％，63．5％，57．3％及70．6％，特异度为79．3％，54．0％，56．8％及68．3％，准确度为80．0％，56．3％，56．9％及68．9％，并联试验诊断虽可提高灵敏度，但相应降低特异度及准确度，与其他无创性诊断方法比较，HA有较高水平的诊断评价指标（u≥1．814，P＜0．05），血清HA诊断代偿性肝硬化的截断值以119．17μg/L较恰当，其相应诊断灵敏度，特异性度，准确度，阳性预告值及阴性预选值分别为87．1％、67．6％、72．3％、46．25％，94．7％。结论：在现有肝脏纤维化血清标志物及超声波检查等无创性诊断指标中，血清HA是代偿性肝硬化最好的诊断标志物。     

Clinical significance of serum hyaluronic acid as a fibrosis marker in chronic hepatitis C patients treated with interferon-α: Histological evaluation by a modified histological activity index scoring system

Abstract The aim of the present study was to investigate the histological changes effected by interferon (IFN) treatment and to evaluate the clinical significance of serum hyaluronic acid (HA) as a marker of fibrosis. Forty-nine patients with chronic hepatitis C treated with IFN-α were divided into three groups according to the existence of viraemia: sustained complete responders (CR), complete responders with relapse (PR) and non-responders (NR). Needle biopsy sections of the liver taken before and at the end of IFN treatment were assessed according to the modified histological activitindex (HAI) scoring system. Serum fibrosis markers, including HA, were measured at needle biopsies. Biopsies of CR at the end of treatment showed a significant improvement in fibrosis and necroinflammatory scores. More significant correlation was observed between fibrosis scores and serum levels of HA before IFN treatment (r= 0.607, P < 0.0001) than those between fibrosis scores, on the one hand, and pepride of type III procollagen (PIIIP; r= 0.531, P= 0.0004) or type IV collagen 7S domain (type IV-C; r= 0.241, P= 0.1062) on the other. Moreover, serum HA levels fell significantly in patients in whom fibrosis improved (P= 0.011). This is the first paper describing the advantages of the modified HAI scoring system over others in estimating the effect of IFN-α; the results also indicate that serum HA can be useful in monitoring liver fibrosis in chronic hepatitis C patients treated with IFN-α.