Effects of alcohol consumption on eight circulating markers of liver fibrosis.
A number of circulating breakdown products of collagen or other components of extracellular matrix, matrix degrading metalloproteinases (MMPs) and their tissue inhibitors (TIMPs) have been proposed as markers of hepatic fibrosis. However, the published results lack consistency. Since many of the patients with fibrosis studied were alcoholics, the question was raised whether recent alcohol consumption may affect the results obtained. Using sandwich-type assays of radioimmunoassay technology with corresponding antibodies, we studied eight markers of liver fibrosis: laminin, tenascin, undulin, TIMP-1, collagen VI, procollagen type III (PIIINP), hyaluronic acid (HA) and MMP-2. A group of 10 alcoholics was studied after significant alcohol consumption and following 2 weeks of abstinence, verified with repeated breath alcohol measurement. Laminin was significantly reduced at 1 week (22%) and at 2 weeks (30%). Similarly, tenascin and undulin were also significantly decreased. By contrast, TIMP-1, collagen VI, PIIINP, HA and MMP-2 did not significantly change. The mode of action of alcohol on these tests is unknown. These differences must be considered when using those measurements to assess liver fibrosis.
Ponomarenko
Yelena
Y
Liver Disease & Nutrition Section, Veterans Affairs Medical Center & Mount Sinai School of Medicine, Bronx, NY 10468-3992, USA.
Leo
Maria Anna
MA
Kroll
Werner
W
Lieber
Charles S
CS
D000328:Adult; D000410:Alanine Transaminase / Q000097:blood; D000428:Alcohol Drinking / Q000097:blood*; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D001219:Aspartate Aminotransferases / Q000097:blood; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood; D006801:Humans; D008103:Liver Cirrhosis / Q000097:blood*; D008111:Liver Function Tests / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D013695:Temperance / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D005723:gamma-Glutamyltransferase / Q000097:blood
D015415:Biomarkers; D005723:gamma-Glutamyltransferase; D001219:Aspartate Aminotransferases; D000410:Alanine Transaminase