title: Serum beta2-microglobulin in liver disease.
abstract: The concentration of beta 2-microglobulin in serum was determined in seventy-one patients with various liver disorders. Elevated values were found in most patients with chronic active or chronic persistent hepatitis and in over 80% of patients with alcohol-induced liver cirrhosis. In contrast, patients with alcohol-induced fatty liver, the serum beta 2-microglobulin concentrations were mostly within the normal range. Significant correlation (P less than 0.001) was noted between the elimination rate of galactose from blood and the serum beta 2-microglobulin concentration in patients with alcoholic liver damage but not in patients with chronic hepatitis. The reasons for the increased S-beta 2-microglobulin concentrations in liver diseases are unknown. Several explanations including a release of beta 2-microglobulin from necrotic liver cells or an increased synthesis of beta 2-microglobulin consequent to inflammation in the liver are possible. Alternatively, raised beta 2-microglobulin levels may reflect the hepatic synthesis during reparative growth.
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001609:Beta-Globulins / Q000032:analysis*; D002908:Chronic Disease; D005235:Fatty Liver, Alcoholic / Q000097:blood; D005260:Female; D006505:Hepatitis / Q000097:blood; D006801:Humans; D008104:Liver Cirrhosis, Alcoholic / Q000097:blood; D008105:Liver Cirrhosis, Biliary / Q000097:blood; D008107:Liver Diseases / Q000097:blood*; D008111:Liver Function Tests; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D001613:beta 2-Microglobulin / Q000032:analysis*
chemical_list: D001609:Beta-Globulins; D001613:beta 2-Microglobulin