title: Albumin mRNA in peripheral white blood cells of cirrhotic patients with a superimposed alcoholic hepatitis is associated to fatal outcome.
abstract: The aim of this study was to analyze the relationship of plasma colloid osmotic pressure (COP), relative viscosity (eta) and overall outcome on the expression of albumin (ALB) mRNA in peripheral white blood cells (PWBC) of cirrhotic patients with superimposed alcoholic hepatitis (LC+AH). ALB messanger was detected in PWBC by RT-nPCR in control individuals (C), patients with liver cirrhosis (LC) and LC+AH. A higher number of LC+AH patients were positive to ALB mRNA (67%), compared to C (30%) and LC (28%). COP was decreased in LC and LC+AH groups compared to C group. No statistically significant changes were detected in eta in the different populations studied. Most of the LC+AH patients positive to peripheral ALB expression (87%) had a fatal outcome, compared to survivors (25%). Such difference was not observed with the conventional liver function tests or Maddrey's discriminant function.
authors.affiliation: Department of Molecular Biology in Medicine, Civil Hospital of Guadalajara Fray Antonio Alcalde, P.O. Box 2-500, 44280, Jal., Guadalajara, Mexico
authors.forename: Blanca Estela
authors.initials: BE
authors.lastname: Bastidas-Ramirez
authors.forename: Patricia
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Nuño-Gonzalez
authors.forename: Cecilia
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Vivas-Arceo
authors.forename: Laura V.
authors.initials: LV
authors.lastname: Sánchez-Orozco
authors.forename: Arturo
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Panduro