The value of alpha-SMA in the evaluation of hepatic fibrosis severity in hepatitis B infection and cirrhosis development: a histopathological and immunohistochemical study.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the value of alpha-smooth muscle actin (alpha-SMA), an indicator of stellate cell activation, in predicting fibrosis in chronic hepatitis B (CHB) patients.


RESULTS
The liver biopsy specimens of 30 patients with a clinical diagnosis of CHB were obtained before treatment and scored by Knodell's histological activity index. The specimens were then immunohistochemically stained with alpha-SMA and semiquantitatively evaluated. Fibrosis and the immunoreactivity of alpha-SMA in the periportal, perisinusoidal and pericentral areas were compared. Fibrosis and necroinflammatory activity in CHB patients were significantly correlated (P =0.022). Furthermore, the degree of alpha-SMA expression and the scores of fibrosis (in periportal, perisinusoidal and pericentral areas) were highly correlated (P =0.000, 0.001, 0.000, respectively).


CONCLUSIONS
In liver biopsy samples, alpha-SMA may prove to be a valuable marker in the evaluation of stellate cell activation and fibrosis progression and an early indicator of the development of fibrosis.
Akpolat
N
N
Department of Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, University Firat, Elazig, Turkey. nakpolat@firat.edu.tr
Yahsi
S
S
Godekmerdan
A
A
Yalniz
M
M
Demirbag
K
K
D000199:Actins / Q000032:analysis*; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001706:Biopsy; D005260:Female; D006509:Hepatitis B / Q000150:complications* / Q000821:virology; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D008099:Liver / Q000737:chemistry / Q000473:pathology / Q000821:virology; D008103:Liver Cirrhosis / Q000209:etiology / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009130:Muscle, Smooth / Q000737:chemistry; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D012720:Severity of Illness Index
D000199:Actins