RESUMO
Objectives: Non-invasive diagnosis of hepatic fibrosis has become the focus, especially in the surveillance of treatment and in screening hepatic fibrosis. To investigate the clinical usefulness of fibrogenesis markers in evaluating liver fibrosis, we determined serum levels of TGF-beta1, collagen IV, and laminin., and their relationships with frequently used liver function tests, and findings of liver ultrasonography and liver biopsy were investigated
Methods: 50 patients with chronic liver diseases were enrolled from the National Liver Institute, Menoufiya University. Serum markers of fibrosis, liver function indices [for the patients and 30 controls], and ultrasonography for all patients were performed and compared with histologic fibrotic changes
Results: Serum levels of TGF-beta1, collagen IV. and laminin were significantly higher in patients than those in control [P<0.000]. The levels of serum fibrosis markers were not correlated with fibrotic scores [P>0.05], but laminin was positively correlated to histologic activity index. There were no significant changes in the level of serum fibrosis markers related to ultrasonographic findings. Their levels were also not correlated to ALT or AST. The cut-off values, specificity and sensitivity were determined for all markers, among which collagen IV was the marker with the highest sensitivity and specificity
Conclusion: Serum level of TGF-beta1, collagen IV, and laminin can be used as indices for the diagnosis of hepatic fibrosis. Among them, collagen IV is more sensitive. Biochemical markers of fibrogenesis might be useful in regular monitoring of disease development and treatment effectiveness and should be inseparable part of progression assessment in all chronic hepatopathies