title: Pigment epithelium-derived factor and matrix metalloproteinase-9 in liver cirrhosis.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this study was to assess the role of serum pigment epithelium-derived factor (PEDF) and matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) in progression of liver cirrhosis and development of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).
  
  
  METHODS
  Serum levels of PEDF and MMP-9 were tested in 212 patients with liver cirrhosis and in a control group of 30 healthy volunteers. HCC was diagnosed in 45 of the 212 patients studied (21%).
  
  
  RESULTS
  Serum PEDF and MMP-9 were higher in the study group than that in the control group (P < 0.001). In patients with alcoholic or mixed (alcoholic and viral hepatitis-related) cirrhosis, serum PEDF was higher than that in other patients (13970.2 ± 13406.9 ng/ml vs. 8563.5 ± 9602.7 ng/ml, P = 0.008). In patients with viral hepatitis-related cirrhosis, significantly higher PEDF levels were recorded in those with HCC (13429.1 ± 12045.8) than that in patients without HCC (6660.1 ± 7927.1; P = 0.04). There was a trend for higher serum MMP-9 in patients with HCC (5778.7 ± 12426.6 vs. 1389.8 ± 1944.7 in those without HCC; P = 0.07). Significant negative correlation between serum MMP-9 and serum alpha-fetoprotein in patients with HCC was observed (r = -0.54; P = 0.04).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Serum PEDF and MMP-9 could be auxiliary markers in diagnosis of HCC, especially in patients with low alpha-fetoprotein level. Alcohol consumption can affect serum PEDF.
authors.affiliation: Department of Infectious and Tropical Diseases and Hepatology, Medical University of Warsaw, Warsaw, Poland.
authors.forename: Joanna
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Kozlowska
authors.affiliation: Department of Infectious and Tropical Diseases and Hepatology, Medical University of Warsaw, Warsaw, Poland.
authors.forename: Tomasz
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Mikula
authors.affiliation: Department of Infectious and Tropical Diseases and Hepatology, Medical University of Warsaw, Warsaw, Poland.
authors.forename: Magdalena
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Suchacz
authors.affiliation: Department of Infectious and Tropical Diseases and Hepatology, Medical University of Warsaw, Warsaw, Poland.
authors.forename: Joanna
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Jabnonska
authors.affiliation: Department of Infectious and Tropical Diseases and Hepatology, Medical University of Warsaw, Warsaw, Poland.
authors.forename: Wojciech
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Stanczak
authors.affiliation: Department of Infectious and Tropical Diseases and Hepatology, Medical University of Warsaw, Warsaw, Poland.
authors.forename: Janusz
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Cianciara
authors.affiliation: Department of Infectious and Tropical Diseases and Hepatology, Medical University of Warsaw, Warsaw, Poland.
authors.forename: Alicja
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Wiercinska-Drapalo
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood*; D006528:Carcinoma, Hepatocellular / Q000175:diagnosis*; D018450:Disease Progression; D055088:Early Detection of Cancer; D005136:Eye Proteins / Q000097:blood*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008103:Liver Cirrhosis / Q000378:metabolism*; D008113:Liver Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis*; D008297:Male; D020780:Matrix Metalloproteinase 9 / Q000097:blood*; D008875:Middle Aged; D009414:Nerve Growth Factors / Q000097:blood*; D015843:Serpins / Q000097:blood*; D000099174:Pigment Epithelium-Derived Factor
chemical_list: D015415:Biomarkers; D005136:Eye Proteins; D020780:Matrix Metalloproteinase 9; D009414:Nerve Growth Factors; D015843:Serpins; D000099174:Pigment Epithelium-Derived Factor; C579270:MMP9 protein, human