Serum alpha-fetoprotein. A prognostic indicator of liver-cell necrosis and regeneration following experimental injury by galactosamine in rats.
The serum concentrations of alpha-fetoprotein of rats following experimental galactosamine-induced liver-cell necrosis accurately reflect the severity of preceding liver-cell damage as determined by elevation of serum transaminases. There is a very close correlation between the highest SGOT or SGPT serum activity found 1-2 days after induction of necrosis and the subsequent elevation of alpha-fetoprotein at 2-6 days. Elevations of alpha-fetoprotein are associated in time with restitutive proliferation of the damaged liver. These experimental results clarify the temporal relationship between alpha-fetoprotein and repair of liver-cell damage, which has been suggested by similar observations in cases of patients who have acute or sub-acute viral hepatitis. The correlations support the concept that serum alpha-fetoprotein concentrations may be used as a prognostic indicator of the extent and course of fulminatn or subacute hepatitis.
D000410:Alanine Transaminase / Q000097:blood; D000469:Alkaline Phosphatase / Q000097:blood; D000818:Animals; D001219:Aspartate Aminotransferases / Q000097:blood; D056486:Chemical and Drug Induced Liver Injury / Q000097:blood*; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D005688:Galactosamine; D006525:Hepatitis, Viral, Human / Q000097:blood / Q000175:diagnosis; D006801:Humans; D008099:Liver / Q000187:drug effects; D008115:Liver Regeneration; D008297:Male; D009336:Necrosis; D011379:Prognosis; D051381:Rats; D013997:Time Factors; D000509:alpha-Fetoproteins / Q000032:analysis*
D000509:alpha-Fetoproteins; D005688:Galactosamine; D001219:Aspartate Aminotransferases; D000410:Alanine Transaminase; D000469:Alkaline Phosphatase