title: Serum beta 2-microglobulin in chronic liver diseases.
abstract: Serum beta 2-microglobulin was determined in 53 patients with chronic liver diseases. No elevation was shown in fatty liver due to obesity or alcoholism. Serum beta 2-microglobulin was abnormal only in 4% of the patients with chronic hepatitis. Determination of serum beta 2-microglobulin seems not useful for the differential diagnosis between chronic hepatitis and fatty liver due to obesity or alcoholism. Serum beta 2-microglobulin was elevated in 29% of the patients with alcoholic liver cirrhosis, in 41% of those with non-alcoholic liver cirrhosis, and in 75% of those with primary liver carcinoma. The average serum beta 2-microglobulin concentration was significantly higher in non-alcoholic liver cirrhosis than in alcoholic liver cirrhosis. There was a significant correlation between serum beta 2-microglobulin and gamma-globulin concentrations in liver cirrhosis.
mesh_terms: D001609:Beta-Globulins / Q000032:analysis*; D002908:Chronic Disease; D005234:Fatty Liver / Q000097:blood; D006505:Hepatitis / Q000097:blood; D006801:Humans; D008103:Liver Cirrhosis / Q000097:blood; D008107:Liver Diseases / Q000097:blood*; D001613:beta 2-Microglobulin / Q000032:analysis*
chemical_list: D001609:Beta-Globulins; D001613:beta 2-Microglobulin