Serum thrombopoietin levels are linked to liver function in untreated patients with hepatitis C virus-related chronic hepatitis.
BACKGROUND
Thrombocytopenia can be found in patients with chronic hepatitis related to hepatitis C virus (HCV). Both hypersplenism and decreased liver production of thrombopoietin (TPO) have been hypothesized as mechanisms responsible for thrombocytopenia.


OBJECTIVE
To assess the presence of relationships among platelet count, spleen size, TPO serum levels, liver histology, and liver function in a group of patients with HCV-related chronic hepatitis.


METHODS
Platelet count, TPO serum levels, and spleen size were assessed in 25 untreated HCV positive chronic hepatitis patients undergoing liver biopsy. These parameters were correlated to liver histology and liver function as evaluated by means of [(13)C]aminopyrine breath test (ABT).


RESULTS
Both platelet counts (146 +/- 48 vs. 202 +/- 56 x 10(9)/1, P < 0.03) and TPO serum levels (103 +/- 24 vs. 158 +/- 7 1 pg/ml, P < 0.02) were lower among patients with high fibrosis scores as compared to patients with low fibrosis scores. Patients with thrombocytopenia as well as patients with high fibrosis scores had lower ABT results as compared to patients with normal platelet counts and patients with no or mild fibrosis, respectively. TPO serum levels were correlated to platelet count (r(s) = 0.493, P = 0.016), and negatively correlated to fibrosis stage (r(s) = -0.545, P = 0.008). Lastly, low TPO serum levels were associated to a decrease in liver function.


CONCLUSIONS
Our study showed that in patients with chronic hepatitis related to HCV infection serum TPO levels are correlated to liver functional impairment and to the degree of liver fibrosis.
Giannini
Edoardo
E
Gastroenterology Unit, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Genoa, Viale Benedetto XV no 6, 16132 Genoa, Italy.
Borro
Paolo
P
Botta
Federica
F
Fumagalli
Alessandra
A
Malfatti
Federica
F
Podestà
Elena
E
Romagnoli
Paola
P
Testa
Emanuela
E
Chiarbonello
Bruno
B
Polegato
Simone
S
Mamone
Mario
M
Testa
Roberto
R
D000328:Adult; D000632:Aminopyrine / Q000032:analysis; D001944:Breath Tests; D002247:Carbon Isotopes; D005260:Female; D019698:Hepatitis C, Chronic / Q000097:blood* / Q000473:pathology; D006801:Humans; D008099:Liver / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D008103:Liver Cirrhosis / Q000097:blood / Q000473:pathology / Q000821:virology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009336:Necrosis; D010976:Platelet Count; D013154:Spleen / Q000473:pathology; D013921:Thrombocytopenia / Q000097:blood; D013926:Thrombopoietin / Q000097:blood*
D002247:Carbon Isotopes; D000632:Aminopyrine; D013926:Thrombopoietin