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  • Title: [Markers of hepatic fibrogenesis in alcoholic patients].
    Author: de la Maza MP, Chichester C, Hirsch S, Petermann M, Iturriaga H, Bunout D.
    Journal: Rev Med Chil; 1997 Jan; 125(1):15-21. PubMed ID: 9336064.
    Abstract:
    BACKGROUND: An elevation of serologic markers of hepatic fibrogenesis has been reported in liver diseases of different etiologies. Among these, the N-terminal type III procollagen (P-III-P) and the P1 proteolytic fragment of laminin (P1 laminin) increase in alcoholic liver damage, in proportion to the progression of this condition. AIM: To study serum levels of P-III-P and P1 laminin in asymptomatic alcoholics with and without liver damage and decompensated alcoholic cirrhotics, compared to normal controls. METHODS: Serum P-III-P and laminin levels were measured in asymptomatic alcoholics during detoxification treatment. Liver biopsies were obtained, in order to detect liver damage, which was graded with a numeric score, considering values over 6 as severe damage. Serum fibrogenesis markers were also measured in a group of decompensated alcoholic cirrhotics. RESULTS: P-III-P levels were significantly higher in cirrhotic patients compared to alcoholics with or without liver damage and to normal controls. Laminin was not different between groups. P-III-P did not correlate with histologic score in asymptomatic patients. CONCLUSIONS: In this study P-III-P and P1 laminin were not usefull discriminators of severe liver damage among asymptomatic alcoholics; their levels were found to rise significantly only when liver disease has become clinically evident.
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