Serum collagen type VI and XIV and hyaluronic acid as early indicators for altered connective tissue turnover in alcoholic liver disease.
Hepatic fibrosis in alcoholic liver disease often heralds progression to cirrhosis and, therefore, noninvasive parameters are required for early diagnosis and follow-up. Collagens VI and XIV, procollagen-III-N-propeptide, hyaluronic acid, and active transforming growth factor-beta1 (TGF-beta1) were measured in healthy volunteers, patients with alcoholic cirrhosis, and heavy drinkers without cirrhosis. Noncirrhotic alcoholics were assigned to two groups with either normal aspartate aminotransferase or levels > or = 2 normal. Collagens VI and XIV were elevated in all alcoholic patients compared to controls (P < 0.0001, all instances). Procollagen-III-N-propeptide and hyaluronic acid levels were higher in alcoholic patients with elevated liver enzymes and in cirrhotics as compared to controls. Procollagen-III-N-propeptide revealed a significant correlation with serum levels of TGF-beta1 (P < 0.0001). Collagens VI, and XIV, procollagen-III-N-propeptide, and hyaluronic acid appear to be sensitive markers indicating fibrotic transformation in alcoholics. The correlation between procollagen-III-N-propeptide and TGF-beta1 emphasizes its role in hepatic fibrogenesis.
Stickel
F
F
I. Department of Medicine, University of Erlangen-Nurnberg, Erlangen, Germany.
Urbaschek
R
R
Schuppan
D
D
Poeschl
G
G
Oesterling
C
C
Conradt
C
C
McCuskey
R S
RS
Simanowski
U A
UA
Seitz
H K
HK
D000328:Adult; D000437:Alcoholism / Q000201:enzymology; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood; D003094:Collagen / Q000097:blood*; D003238:Connective Tissue / Q000378:metabolism*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006820:Hyaluronic Acid / Q000097:blood*; D008104:Liver Cirrhosis, Alcoholic / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000378:metabolism; D008108:Liver Diseases, Alcoholic / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000378:metabolism; D008297:Male; D010446:Peptide Fragments / Q000097:blood; D011347:Procollagen / Q000097:blood; D016212:Transforming Growth Factor beta / Q000097:blood; D053773:Transforming Growth Factor beta1
D015415:Biomarkers; D010446:Peptide Fragments; D011347:Procollagen; C508960:TGFB1 protein, human; D016212:Transforming Growth Factor beta; D053773:Transforming Growth Factor beta1; C041876:procollagen Type III-N-terminal peptide; D006820:Hyaluronic Acid; D003094:Collagen