Detection of the serum free insulin-like growth factor 1 in patients with chronic severe hepatitis and its implication / 解放军医学杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective To evaluate the relationship between the serum free IGF-1 level and the severity and prognosis in patients with chronic severe hepatitis. Methods Serum free IGF-1 was assessed by ELISA in 44 patients with chronic severe hepatitis, 43 chronic viral hepatitis, 46 liver cirrhosis. At the same time the liver function, prothrombin activity and cholinesterase were also determined. Results Serum free IGF-1 in patients with chronic severe hepatitis, liver cirrhosis and chronic viral hepatitis was 0.24?0.15,0.33?0.17 and 1.06?0.70 (ng/ml), respectively. IGF-1 was significantly decreased in patients with chronic severe hepatitis and liver cirrhosis. IGF-1 level in patients with chronic severe hepatitis at early, middle and advanced stages was 0.28?0.07, 0.27?0.19 and 0.16?0.06 (ng/ml), respectively. The reduction in the value showed a positive correlation with different stages of chronic severe hepatitis. Patients with chronic severe hepatitis having a serum free IGF-1 below 0.2ng/ml had a higher mortality, and those with the value above 0.35ng/ml had a better chance to survive during the follow-up period. There was a significant positive correlation between serum free IGF-1 and prothrombin activity. Conclusion Serum free IGF-1 was decreased in the patients with chronic severe hepatitis. The clinical observation suggested that the serum free IGF-1 might be an important prognostic indicator in patients with chronic severs hepatitis.