The Profile of Serum Transferrin Isoforms in Rheumatoid Arthritis.

INTRODUCTION: Transferrin, a microheterogeneous iron-transporting N-glycoprotein, is an optimal model for the analysis of the glycosylation profile in rheumatoid arthritis (RA). The aim of this study was to assess the transferrin isoforms profile in RA patients at the time of diagnosis and then look into their associations with disease activity. METHODS: Serum samples were collected from 48 patients with RA. The patients were males (6) and females (42) (age range: 33-85 years). Control group consisted of 30 healthy volunteers. Transferrin isoforms were analysed by capillary electrophoresis on MINICAP electrophoretic system. RESULTS: There was a significant decrease in the relative concentrations of trisialo- (mean ± SD; 2.130 ± 1.112) and pentasialotransferrin (13.562 ± 3.088), and significant increase in tetrasialotransferrin (83.640 ± 3.165) in RA patients when compared to the control group (3.615 ± 1.156; 76.840 ± 5.621; 18.610 ± 6.027, respectively) (U Mann-Whitney test: p < 0.001 for all comparisons). There were no significant changes in the disialotransferrin concentrations in RA patients. Trisialotransferrin concentration correlated with RA activity expressed as DAS 28 in RA patients (p < 0.001). The low trisialotransferrin concentration was also associated with high platelet count and high ESR (p < 0.001 for both). Disialo-, tetrasialo- and pentasialotransferrin concentrations did not correlate with DAS 28. CONCLUSIONS: In patients with RA the serum profile of transferrin isoforms is altered. We predict that the levels of trisialylated isoforms of transferrin will serve as a useful biochemical marker of the RA activity.

The concentration of total sialic acid in chronic hepatitis B and C.

BACKGROUND: The synthesis and glycosylation of glycoproteins and glycolipids take place in the liver. Thus, liver diseases may affect serum concentrations of some carbohydrate derivatives, especially the concentration of sialic acid which is attached to the end of oligosaccharide chains. The aim of this study was to measure and compare the serum concentration of total sialic acid in chronic hepatitis B and C. The hypothesis is that both viruses responsible for the development of inflammation work differently at the cellular level. METHODS: Serum samples were obtained from 90 patients suffering from liver diseases: 50 from chronic hepatitis B and 40 from chronic hepatitis C at the time of diagnosis. The total sialic acid concentration in the serum was measured according to the enzymatic method using a colorimetric procedure. RESULTS: The mean total sialic acid concentration in patients with chronic hepatitis B was significantly lower than the mean concentration in the healthy group, while in patients with chronic hepatitis C, it was significantly higher than that in healthy people and in patients suffering from chronic hepatitis B. There were no significant differences in total sialic acid concentrations in patients with chronic hepatitis B and C according to the grade of portal/periportal activity, the grade of lobular activity and the stage of fibrosis. CONCLUSIONS: We conclude that chronic viral hepatitis affects the total serum concentration of sialic acid. Moreover, the concentration of total sialic acid may be a useful marker to differentiate between chronic hepatitis B and C but is not useful for evaluation of the progression of these diseases.

High serum N-terminal propeptide of procollagen type III concentration is associated with liver diseases.

INTRODUCTION: N-terminal propeptide of procollagen type III (PIIINP) is generated during the synthesis of type III collagen. PIIINP can be measured in the serum as an indicator of liver fibrosis and cirrhosis. AIM: To evaluate the effect of liver diseases of different aetiologies and clinical severity of liver cirrhosis on the serum level of PIIINP. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Patients with alcoholic cirrhosis (AC) - 63 subjects, non-alcoholic cirrhosis (NAC) - 31 and toxic hepatitis (HT) - 33 were studied. Cirrhotic patients were classified according to the Child-Pugh scale. The samples were analysed using the ELISA method. RESULTS: The level of PIIINP was significantly higher in patients with alcoholic cirrhosis, non-alcoholic cirrhosis, and toxic hepatitis in comparison to the control group. There were no significant differences in the serum PIIINP levels between liver diseases and according to the severity of liver cirrhosis. PIIINP has the highest diagnostic power for the diagnosis of toxic hepatitis. The highest sensitivity was reached in alcoholic cirrhosis, but other diagnostic values (specificity, positive predictive value (PPV), negative predictive value (NPV), diagnostic accuracy (ACC)) in alcoholic cirrhosis were lower than that in toxic hepatitis. In the diagnosis of non-alcoholic cirrhosis PIIINP has low sensitivity, specificity, PPV, NPV, and ACC. CONCLUSIONS: The serum PIIINP shows the alterations in liver diseases in comparison to healthy controls, but not between diseases. Taking the above into account we can suggest that PIIINP may be a useful test for the detection of liver diseases.

The role of serum hyaluronic acid determination in the diagnosis of liver fibrosis.

The common pathway leading to liver fibrosis and cirrhosis is growing deposition of extracellular matrix (ECM). It results from molecular and histological rearrangement of collagens, glycoproteins and hyaluronans. Hyaluronic acid is a chief component of the extracellular matrix of connective tissues and plays the main structural role in the formation of ECM. The most important organ involved in the synthesis of hyaluronic acid is the liver. In this paper the meaning of hyaluronic acid in the diagnostics of liver diseases is discussed. Here, we focus on the described changes of hyaluronic acid concentration in the pathological processes of the liver, including alcoholic and non-alcoholic liver diseases. The results of published clinical studies have shown its high diagnostic sensitivity, which probably enables its application in laboratory diagnosis.

The transferrin isoforms in chronic hepatitis.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of chronic hepatitis on the serum profile of transferrin isoforms. METHODS: Tested group consist of 160 patients with chronic hepatitis. The samples were analyzed by capillary electrophoresis on MINICAP electrophoretic system (Sebia, France). RESULTS: In patients with chronic hepatitis tetrasialotransferrin level was increased (P=0.002) and pentasialotransferrin decreased (P=0.009). Moreover, statistical analysis revealed that trisialotransferrin level was different according to the grade of portal/periportal activity (P=0.009), the grade of lobular activity (P=0.004) and the stage of fibrosis (P=0.022). There were no differences in tetrasialotransferrin and pentasialotransferrin according to the advancement of hepatitis activity and the stage of fibrosis (P>0.05 for all comparisons). CONCLUSIONS: We conclude that chronic hepatitis affect the serum profile of transferrin isoforms, but only trisialotransferrin level could be useful in determining progression of chronic hepatitis and the stage of fibrosis.

Independence of carbohydrate-deficient isoforms of transferrin and cyclic citrullinated peptides in rheumatoid arthritis.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to assess the relationship between the two types of posttranslational modifications of proteins in RA: glycosylation on the example of carbohydrate-deficient transferrin and citrullination by means of autoantibodies to cyclic citrullinated peptides. METHODS: The study was carried out in 50 RA patients. CDT was measured using N Latex CDT immunonephelometric test, the results were presented in absolute and relative units. Anti-CCP were measured using the chemiluminescent method and rheumatoid factor by immunoturbidimetric method. RESULTS: 80% of RA patients were positive for anti-CCP, 70% for RF and 62% for both, anti-CCP and RF. The level of %CDT was significantly elevated, but absolute CDT level was not changed. The mean absolute CDT concentration was higher in anti-CCP positive patients than that in anti-CCP negative. CDT (absolute and relative concentration) did not correlate with anti-CCP and RF. However, serum RF significantly correlated with anti-CCP. %CDT did not correlate with anti-CCP, but absolute level correlated with anti-CCP only in anti-CCP negative and RF negative patients. CDT did not correlate with RF, but solely with anti-CCP in anti-CCP negative patients. Anti-CCP correlated with DAS 28 only in anti-CCP negative RA, but CDT (absolute and relative units) correlated with DAS 28 in all patients and in anti-CCP positive RA. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that the changes in CDT and anti-CCP concentrations are not associated with oneself and indicate on the independence of these posttranslational modifications in rheumatoid arthritis. Only the alterations in transferrin glycosylation reflected the activity of RA.

Independence of carbohydrate-deficient isoforms of transferrin and cyclic citrullinated peptides in rheumatoid arthritis / Independência de isoformas de transferrina deficiente em carboidrato e peptídeos citrulinados cíclicos na artrite reumatoide

ABSTRACT Objective: The aim of this study was to assess the relationship between the two types of posttranslational modifications of proteins in RA: glycosylation on the example of carbohydrate-deficient transferrin and citrullination by means of autoantibodies to cyclic citrullinated peptides. Methods: The study was carried out in 50 RA patients. CDT was measured using N Latex CDT immunonephelometric test, the results were presented in absolute and relative units. Anti-CCP were measured using the chemiluminescent method and rheumatoid factor by immunoturbidimetric method. Results: 80% of RA patients were positive for anti-CCP, 70% for RF and 62% for both, anti-CCP and RF. The level of %CDT was significantly elevated, but absolute CDT level was not changed. The mean absolute CDT concentration was higher in anti-CCP positive patients than that in anti-CCP negative. CDT (absolute and relative concentration) did not correlate with anti-CCP and RF. However, serum RF significantly correlated with anti-CCP. %CDT did not correlate with anti-CCP, but absolute level correlated with anti-CCP only in anti-CCP negative and RF negative patients. CDT did not correlate with RF, but solely with anti-CCP in anti-CCP negative patients. Anti-CCP correlated with DAS 28 only in anti-CCP negative RA, but CDT (absolute and relative units) correlated with DAS 28 in all patients and in anti-CCP positive RA. Conclusions: These results suggest that the changes in CDT and anti-CCP concentrations are not associated with oneself and indicate on the independence of these posttranslational modifications in rheumatoid arthritis. Only the alterations in transferrin glycosylation reflected the activity of RA.

RESUMO Objetivo: Avaliar a relação entre os dois tipos de modificações pós-translacionais de proteínas na AR: glicosilação no caso da transferrina deficiente em carboidrato (TDC) e citrulinação por meio dos anticorpos no caso do antipeptídeo citrulinado cíclico (anti-CCP). Métodos: O estudo foi feito em 50 pacientes com AR. A TDC foi medida com o teste imunonefelométrico N Latex CDT e os resultados foram apresentados em unidades absolutas e relativas. O anti-CCP foi mensurado com o método quimioluminescente e o fator reumatoide (FR) pelo método imunoturbidimétrico. Resultados: Dos pacientes com AR, 80% foram positivos para anti-CCP, 70% para FR e 62% para ambos (anti-CCP e FR). A percentagem de transferrina total (%TDC) esteve significativamente elevada, mas o nível absoluto de TDC não esteve alterado. A concentração média de TDC absoluta foi maior nos pacientes anti-CCP positivos do que naqueles anti-CCP negativos. A TDC (concentração absoluta e relativa) não se correlacionou com o anti-CCP e o FR. No entanto, o FR sérico se correlacionou significativamente com o anti-CCP. O percentual de TDC não se correlacionou com o anti-CCP, mas seu nível absoluto se correlacionou com o anti-CCP apenas em pacientes FR negativos e anti-CCP negativos. A TDC não se correlacionou com o FR, somente com o anti-CCP em pacientes anti-CCP negativos. O anti-CCP se correlacionou com o DAS 28 apenas nos pacientes com AR anti-CCP negativos, mas a TDC (unidades absolutas e relativas) se correlacionou com o DAS 28 quando considerados todos os pacientes com AR e em pacientes com AR anti-CCP positivos. Conclusões: Esses resultados sugerem que as alterações na TDC e as concentrações de anti-CCP não estão associadas e indicam a independência dessas modificações pós-translacionais na artrite reumatoide. Apenas as alterações na glicosilação da transferrina refletem a atividade da AR.

Changed Profile of Serum Transferrin Isoforms in Liver Diseases.

BACKGROUND: The aim of the study was to assess the effect of liver diseases on the serum profile of transferrin isoforms. METHODS: Patients with alcoholic cirrhosis (AC) - 63 subjects, non-alcoholic cirrhosis (NAC) - 28, and toxic hepatitis (HT) - 32 were studied. The cirrhotic patients were classified according to the Child-Pugh scale. Samples were analyzed by capillary electrophoresis with the MINICAP system. RESULTS: Significant differences were noted in the relative concentrations of disialotransferrin in HT patients (mean ± SD; 1.216 ± 0.900%) and in the levels of trisialotransferrin in AC (6.433 ± 3.131%) and NAC patients (5.311 ± 2.401%), as compared to the control group (0.984 ± 1.161%; 3.615 ± 1.156%, respectively). The levels of di-, tri- and tetrasialotransferrin appeared to differ between liver diseases. The mean relative concentration of disialotransferrin was significantly higher in patients with HT than in the NAC group, whereas trisialotransferrin level was lower in HT (4.074 ± 1.597%) than in AC and NAC. Tetrasialotransferrin was higher in HT (78.474 ± 4.393%) and NAC (77.932 ± 4.161%) in comparison with AC (75.290 ± 4.720%). Eleven percent of cirrhotic samples showed di-tri bridging and two samples displayed genetic variants of transferrin isoforms. There were significant differences in tri-, tetra-, and pentasialotransferrin according to the Child-Pugh score. The level of trisialotransferrin was significantly higher in class C of liver cirrhosis (7.219 ± 3.107%) than in class A (4.590 ± 1.851%), and tetrasialotransferrin relative concentration was lower in class C (69.048 ± 14.251%) as compared to class B (76.929 ± 3.931%) and A (78.990 ± 2.995%). The level of pentasialotransferrin was higher in class C (23.078 ± 15.898%) than in B (16.455 ± 4.491%) and A (15.680 ± 2.333%). CONCLUSIONS: In conclusion, the serum profile of transferrin isoforms shows alterations in liver diseases, varies according to the disease, and changes depending on the cirrhosis stage.

Serum Sialic Acid Concentration and Content in ApoB-Containing Lipoproteins in Liver Diseases.

BACKGROUND: The great significance for the metabolism of lipoproteins is the composition of carbohydrate chain of apolipoproteins, where sialic acid (SA) is located. In VILDL and LDL sialic acid is attached to apolipoprotein B. The sialylation of serum proteins including apolipoprotein B can be affected in the course of liver diseases. Therefore, the aim of this study was to assess the effect of liver diseases on the concentration and content of SA in ApoB-containing lipoproteins. METHODS: The tested group consisted of 165 patients (118 males, 47 females) with liver diseases: alcoholic cirrhosis, non-alcoholic cirrhosis, chronic hepatitis, toxic hepatitis, chronic viral hepatitis, and liver cancer. ApoB-containing lipoproteins were isolated by a turbidimetric procedure and SA concentration was measured according to an enzymatic method. RESULTS: There was a significant increase in the serum concentration of SA in ApoB-containing lipoproteins in viral hepatitis. Although the serum concentration of ApoB was not significantly different between specific liver diseases, the serum levels of SA in ApoB-containing lipoproteins appeared to be different. There is an association between SA concentration and triglycerides in alcoholic cirrhosis and viral hepatitis. Also, in viral hepatitis SA concentration correlated negatively with HDL-cholesterol. The content of SA in ApoB-containing lipoproteins in alcoholic cirrhosis and viral hepatitis was significantly higher than that in the control group, but did not differ between diseases. CONCLUSIONS: This study may explain the variations in serum lipids and lipoproteins in liver diseases. It seems that the reason for these abnormalities is the changes in the concentration of sialic acid in ApoB-containing lipoproteins.

Changes in Transferrin Isoforms in Pancreatic Cancer.

The aim of this study was to assess the alterations in transferrin sialylation during primary pancreatic cancer, and compare these with CA19-9. Serum samples from 44 patients with pancreatic cancer and 25 healthy subjects were analyzed by capillary electrophoresis (CE) technology on a MINICAP electrophoresis system. The mean concentration of tetrasialotransferrin was significantly higher while that of pentasialotransferrin was significantly lower in cancer patients than in the controls. However, there were no significant differences in the concentrations of disialotransferrin and trisialotranferrin in pancreatic cancers. Also, total transferrin concentration did not differ between pancreatic cancer patients and control group. Neither tumor location nor TNM classification affected the concentrations of CA19-9 and transferrin isoforms with the exception of trisialotransferrin which was significantly higher in patients free of distant metastasis than in those with distant ones. The ratio of tetrasialotransferrin to pentasialotransferrin in pancreatic cancer patients was significantly higher than that in the controls. We conclude that the alterations in transferrin sialylation occur in patients with pancreatic cancer. Tetrasialotransferrin was more strongly expressed than pentasialotransferrin. Moreover, the data suggests that the alterations in transferrin glycosylation/sialylation in pancreatic cancer differ from the alterations in some other cancers.

Serum Carbohydrate-Deficient Transferrin in Pancreatic Diseases of Different Etiologies.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to find out whether pancreatic diseases invalidate the use of CDT for the detection of high alcohol intake and if CDT can distinguish between alcoholic and non-alcoholic pancreatitis. METHODS: The study was carried out on 110 patients with pancreatic diseases. Serum CDT was determined using the N Latex CDT test. RESULTS: The mean relative (%) and absolute (mg/L) CDT levels in acute and chronic pancreatitis were significantly higher than in controls and patients with primary pancreatic cancer. No significant difference was found in CDT concentrations between acute and chronic pancreatitis. The relative and absolute CDT concentrations in alcohol-induced pancreatitis were significantly higher compared to the controls and biliary-induced pancreatitis. CONCLUSIONS: Acute and chronic alcoholic pancreatitis, but not biliary pancreatitis, may affect CDT levels. Pancreatitis does not invalidate the use of CDT as a marker of alcohol abuse. CDT can be a useful test for distinguishing alcoholic from non-alcoholic pancreatitis. Changes in CDT level indicate disturbances in transferrin glycosylation in the course of alcoholic pancreatic diseases.

Selected Noninvasive Markers in Diagnosing Liver Diseases.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effectiveness of certain noninvasive liver-damage markers in predicting liver diseases and the clinical severity of liver cirrhosis. METHODS: We tested serum specimens from 57 patients with alcoholic cirrhosis, 30 with nonalcoholic cirrhosis, and 22 with toxic hepatitis (TH). The Bonacini, King, and Göteborg University Cirrhosis Index (GUCI) scores were calculated using specific formulas. RESULTS: The values of the Bonacini and King scores significantly differ between liver diseases. The Bonacini score was higher in alcoholic and nonalcoholic cirrhosis than in TH, and the King score was higher in alcoholic cirrhosis than in TH. All of the tested scores appeared to vary according to the severity of liver damage and were higher in Child-Pugh class C than that in classes A and B. CONCLUSIONS: We conclude that the Bonacini and King scores differ between liver diseases and that all the tested scores reflect the severity of liver cirrhosis.

Hyaluronic acid concentration in liver diseases.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of liver diseases of different etiologies and clinical severity of liver cirrhosis on the serum level of hyaluronic acid. The results were compared with noninvasive markers of liver fibrosis: APRI, GAPRI, HAPRI, FIB-4 and Forn's index. Serum samples were obtained from 20 healthy volunteers and patients suffering from alcoholic cirrhosis (AC)-57 patients, non-alcoholic cirrhosis (NAC)-30 and toxic hepatitis (HT)-22. Cirrhotic patients were classified according to Child-Pugh score. Hyaluronic acid concentration was measured by the immunochemical method. Non-patented indicators were calculated using special formulas. The mean serum hyaluronic acid concentration was significantly higher in AC, NAC and HT group in comparison with the control group. There were significant differences in the serum hyaluronic acid levels between liver diseases, and in AC they were significantly higher than those in NAC and HT group. The serum hyaluronic acid level differs significantly due to the severity of cirrhosis and was the highest in Child-Pugh class C. The sensitivity, specificity, accuracy, positive and negative predictive values and the area under the ROC curve for hyaluronic acid and all non-patented algorithms were high and similar to each other. We conclude that the concentration of hyaluronic acid changes in liver diseases and is affected by the severity of liver cirrhosis. Serum hyaluronic acid should be considered as a good marker for noninvasive diagnosis of liver damage, but the combination of markers is more useful.

Simple non-invasive markers for early diagnosis and determination of the severity of liver diseases.

AIM OF THE STUDY: The aim of the study was to evaluate the effect and severity of liver diseases of different etiologies on the values of three non-invasive fibrosis markers. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Serum samples from 65 patients with alcoholic cirrhosis, 31 with non-alcoholic cirrhosis and 32 with toxic hepatitis, were tested. Cirrhotic patients were classified according to the Child-Pugh scale. The age-platelet (AP) index, HUI score and Fibro Q index were calculated using the specific formulas. RESULTS: The values of all tested scores were significantly higher in controls than in patients with liver diseases and were significantly different between liver diseases. The patients with alcoholic and non-alcoholic cirrhosis had higher values of the AP index, HUI score and Fibro Q index than patients with toxic hepatitis. HUI and Fibro Q scores appeared to vary according to the severity of liver damage and were higher in Child-Pugh class C than in classes A and B. CONCLUSIONS: We conclude that all tested scores based on liver function tests are good markers for non-invasive diagnosis of liver damage. Additionally, HUI and Fibro Q scores reflect the severity of liver cirrhosis.

Galectin-3 Concentration in Liver Diseases.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the changes in serum galectin-3 concentration during liver diseases. The results were compared with hyaluronic acid concentration in combination with prothrombin index as a HAPRI index. Serum samples were obtained from 20 healthy volunteers and 109 patients suffering from alcoholic cirrhosis (AC)--57, non-alcoholic cirrhosis (NAC)--30 and toxic hepatitis (HT)--22 patients. Cirrhotic patients were classified according to Child-Pugh scale. Galectin-3 concentration was measured by the chemiluminescent microparticle immunoassay and HAPRI index was calculated using a formula. There was a significant increase in the serum concentration of galectin-3 in patients with AC, NAC and HT, and significant differences between diseases were observed. The mean galectin-3 concentration in AC was significantly higher than that in HT. The serum galectin-3 level differs significantly according to severity of cirrhosis and was the highest in Child-Pugh class C. The sensitivity, specificity, accuracy, positive and negative predictive values and the area under the ROC curve for galectin-3 and HAPRI were high and similar to each other. In conclusion, galectin-3 is a good marker of fibrosis in cirrhosis and toxic hepatitis, which reflects the stage of liver damage, like the HAPRI index.

The Distribution of Liver Steatosis, Fibrosis, Steatohepatitis and Inflammation Activity in Alcoholics According to FibroMax Test.

BACKGROUND: The diagnosis of alcoholic liver diseases is based on the history of alcohol abuse, clinical evidence of liver disease and laboratory abnormalities. The new non-invasive biomarkers have higher sensitivity to quantify and predict steatosis and fibrosis than ultrasonography. OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of liver diseases in alcoholics by means of FibroMax. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A total of 142 consecutive alcoholics were enrolled in the study. The prevalence of liver diseases was assayed by means of non-invasive biomarkers: fibrosis by FibroTest, steatosis by SteatoTest, steatohapatitis by AshTest (alcoholic origin) and NashTest (non-alcoholic origin) and necroinflammatory activity by ActiTest. RESULTS: 38.7% of alcoholics do not have fibrosis, 38%--steatosis, 94.1%--alcoholic steatohepatitis, 56.6%--non-alcoholic steatohepatitis and 33.6%--necroinflammatory activity. The insignificant fibrosis (F<2) is present in 37.2%, advanced (F≥2)--15.3% and cirrhosis (F4)--in 8.8%. Insignificant steatosis (S<2) is observed in 31.3% and advanced (S≥2) in 30.5%. Minimal alcoholic steatohepatitis (H1) exists in 5.2% patients, moderate (H2) in none of the patient and severe (H3) in only one patient (0.7%). The distribution of NashTest scores is as following: N0--56.6%, N1--38.2% and N2--5.1%. Insignificant inflammatory activity (A<2) is present in 40.8% of alcoholic patients but significant (A≥2) in 25.5%. The frequency of severe steatosis (F3) and necroinflammatory activity (A3) in patients with cirrhosis (F4) is 50% for each of them. CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of advanced fibrosis and cirrhosis evaluated by means of FibroMax in alcoholics is higher than in alcoholic liver disease (ALD) and lower than in mixed, alcoholic and non-alcoholic ones. This may indicate the presence of non-alcoholic liver disease in alcoholics.

The Higher Prevalence of Non-Alcoholic versus Alcoholic Steatohepatitis in Alcoholics.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of alcoholic (ASH) and non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) in alcoholics by non-invasive biochemical markers: AshTest and NashTest. METHODS: The tested group consisted of 142 alcoholic patients. All biochemical markers were assessed using the recommended methods. RESULTS: The highest values of AshTest and NashTest were observed in the highest H3 score and N2 score, respectively. The distribution of AshTest scores was the following: H0 - 94.1%, H1 - 5.2%, H2 - 0%, and H3 - 0.7%, while for NashTest was: N0 - 56.6%, N1 - 38.2% and N2 - 5.1%. In summary, alcoholic steatohepatitis was present only in 5.9% of alcoholics and non-alcoholic steatohepatitis in 43.3% of patients. Co-occurrence of ASH and NASH was observed in 3.7% of patients. The BMI, mean glucose, and triglyceride levels were significantly different between NashTest scores, but not between AshTest scores. These results may evidence that non-alcoholic steatohepatitis is associated with metabolic risk factors such as diabetes mellitus, dyslipidemia, and obesity. The MCV value and AST/ALT ratio were higher in alcoholic steatohepatitis than in non-alcoholic steatohepatitis. CONCLUSIONS: In conclusion, the prevalence of non-alcoholic steatohepatitis in alcoholics is higher than of alcoholic steatohepatitis, as estimated by non-invasive tests. Co-occurrence of alcoholic steatohepatitis and non-alcoholic steatohepatitis in alcoholic patients is low and the high prevalence of non-alcoholic steatohepatitis is related with high occurrence of metabolic risk factors.

[Diagnostic role of galectin-3]. / Galektyna-3 w diagnostyce laboratoryjnej.

The meaning of galectin-3 role in the diagnostics of different diseases was disscused in the paper. Galectin-3 is endogenous, soluble beta- galactoside-binding lectin, which occur in the cell nucleus, the cytoplasm and on the surface of certain cells. Galectin-3 controls cell cycle, modulates adhesion, affects the mRNA splicing, extracellular matrix interactions and cellular differentiation. Galectin-3, also affects to procollagen I which irreversibly crosslinks to form collagen and results in parenchymal organs fibrosis. Taking into account numerous research and knowledge of action mechanism of galectin-3 there were presented changes in its activity in the pathological processes of the human body, including: heart failure, liver fibrosis and tumors. The results of published clinical studies have shown its high diagnostic sensitivity, which probably enables to application in laboratory diagnosis.