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Liu W, Zhang F, Quan B, Li M, Lu S, Li J, Chen R, Yin X. The Prognostic Value of the Albumin to Gamma-Glutamyltransferase Ratio in Patients with Hepatocellular Carcinoma Undergoing Radiofrequency Ablation. DISEASE MARKERS 2021; 2021:3514827. [PMID: 34840628 PMCID: PMC8626189 DOI: 10.1155/2021/3514827] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/03/2021] [Accepted: 10/26/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Albumin to gamma-glutamyltransferase ratio (AGR) is a newly developed biomarker for the prediction of patients' prognosis in solid tumors. The purpose of the study was to establish a novel AGR-based nomogram to predict tumor prognosis in patients with early-stage HCC undergoing radiofrequency ablation (RFA). 394 hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) patients who had received RFA as initial treatment were classified into the training cohort and validation cohort. Independent prognostic factors were identified by univariate and multivariate analyses. The value of AGR was evaluated by the concordance index (C-index), receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves, and likelihood ratio tests (LAT). Logistic regression and nomogram were performed to establish the pretreatment scoring model based on the clinical variables. As a result, AGR = 0.63 was identified as the best cutoff value to predict overall survival (OS) in the training cohort. According to the results of multivariate analysis, AGR was an independent indicator for OS and recurrence-free survival (RFS). In both training cohort and validation cohort, the high-AGR group showed better RFS and OS than the low-AGR group. What is more, the C-index, area under the ROC curves, and LAT χ 2 values suggested that AGR outperformed the Child-Pugh (CP) grade and albumin-bilirubin (ALBI) grade in terms of predicting OS. The AGR, AKP, and tumor size were used to establish the OS nomogram. Besides, the results of Hosmer-Lemeshow test and calibration curve analysis displayed that both nomograms in the training and validation cohorts performed well in terms of calibration. Therefore, the AGR-based nomogram can predict the postoperative prognosis of early HCC patients undergoing RFA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wenfeng Liu
- Liver Cancer Institute, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China
- National Clinical Research Center for Interventional Medicine, Shanghai 200032, China
| | - Feng Zhang
- Liver Cancer Institute, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China
- National Clinical Research Center for Interventional Medicine, Shanghai 200032, China
| | - Bing Quan
- Liver Cancer Institute, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China
- National Clinical Research Center for Interventional Medicine, Shanghai 200032, China
| | - Miao Li
- Liver Cancer Institute, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China
- National Clinical Research Center for Interventional Medicine, Shanghai 200032, China
| | - Shenxin Lu
- Liver Cancer Institute, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China
- National Clinical Research Center for Interventional Medicine, Shanghai 200032, China
| | - Jinghuan Li
- Liver Cancer Institute, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China
- National Clinical Research Center for Interventional Medicine, Shanghai 200032, China
| | - Rongxin Chen
- Liver Cancer Institute, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China
- National Clinical Research Center for Interventional Medicine, Shanghai 200032, China
| | - Xin Yin
- Liver Cancer Institute, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China
- National Clinical Research Center for Interventional Medicine, Shanghai 200032, China
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Li HT, Wei B, Li ZQ, Wang X, Jia WX, Xu YZ, Liu JY, Shao MN, Chen SX, Mo NF, Zhao D, Zuo WP, Qin J, Li P, Zhang QL, Yang XL. Diagnostic and prognostic value of MCM3 and its interacting proteins in hepatocellular carcinoma. Oncol Lett 2020; 20:308. [PMID: 33093917 PMCID: PMC7573876 DOI: 10.3892/ol.2020.12171] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/02/2019] [Accepted: 06/08/2020] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Aberrant DNA replication is one of the driving forces behind oncogenesis. Furthermore, minichromosome maintenance complex component 3 (MCM3) serves an essential role in DNA replication. Therefore, in the present study, the diagnostic and prognostic value of MCM3 and its interacting proteins in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) were investigated. By utilizing The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) database, global MCM3 mRNA levels were assessed in HCC and normal liver tissues. Its effects were further analyzed by reverse transcription-quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR), western blotting and immunohistochemistry in 78 paired HCC and adjacent tissues. Functional and pathway enrichment analyses were performed using the Search Tool for the Retrieval of Interacting Genes database. The expression levels of proteins that interact with MCM3 were also analyzed using the TCGA database and RT-qPCR. Finally, algorithms combining receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves were constructed using binary logistic regression using the TCGA results. Increased MCM3 mRNA expression with high α-fetoprotein levels and advanced Edmondson-Steiner grade were found to be characteristic of HCC. Survival analysis revealed that high MCM3 expression was associated with poor outcomes in patients with HCC. In addition, MCM3 protein expression was associated with increased tumor invasion in HCC tissues. MCM3 and its interacting proteins were found to be primarily involved in DNA replication, cell cycle and a number of binding processes. Algorithms combining ROCs of MCM3 and its interacting proteins were found to have improved HCC diagnosis ability compared with MCM3 and other individual diagnostic markers. In conclusion, MCM3 appears to be a promising diagnostic biomarker for HCC. Additionally, the present study provides a basis for the multi-gene diagnosis of HCC using MCM3.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hong-Tao Li
- Scientific Research Center, Guilin Medical University, Guilin, Guangxi 541100, P.R. China
| | - Bing Wei
- College of International Education, Guilin Medical University, Guilin, Guangxi 541100, P.R. China
| | - Zhou-Quan Li
- Scientific Research Center, Guilin Medical University, Guilin, Guangxi 541100, P.R. China
| | - Xiao Wang
- Scientific Research Center, Guilin Medical University, Guilin, Guangxi 541100, P.R. China.,Department of Pathology, The First Affiliated Hospital, Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, Guangxi 530021, P.R. China
| | - Wen-Xian Jia
- College of Pharmacy, Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, Guangxi 530021, P.R. China
| | - Yan-Zhen Xu
- Scientific Research Center, Guilin Medical University, Guilin, Guangxi 541100, P.R. China
| | - Jia-Yi Liu
- Department of Pathology, The First Affiliated Hospital, Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, Guangxi 530021, P.R. China.,College and Hospital of Stomatology, Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, Guangxi 530021, P.R. China
| | - Meng-Nan Shao
- Scientific Research Center, Guilin Medical University, Guilin, Guangxi 541100, P.R. China
| | - Sui-Xia Chen
- Scientific Research Center, Guilin Medical University, Guilin, Guangxi 541100, P.R. China
| | - Nan-Fang Mo
- Scientific Research Center, Guilin Medical University, Guilin, Guangxi 541100, P.R. China
| | - Dong Zhao
- Scientific Research Center, Guilin Medical University, Guilin, Guangxi 541100, P.R. China
| | - Wen-Pu Zuo
- Medical Scientific Research Center, Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, Guangxi 530021, P.R. China
| | - Jian Qin
- School of Public Health, Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, Guangxi 530021, P.R. China
| | - Ping Li
- Department of Pathology, The First Affiliated Hospital, Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, Guangxi 530021, P.R. China.,College and Hospital of Stomatology, Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, Guangxi 530021, P.R. China
| | - Qin-Le Zhang
- Genetic and Metabolic Central Laboratory, The Maternal and Children Health Hospital of Guangxi, Nanning, Guangxi 530005, P.R. China
| | - Xiao-Li Yang
- Scientific Research Center, Guilin Medical University, Guilin, Guangxi 541100, P.R. China
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Plevris N, Sinha R, Hay AW, McDonald N, Plevris JN, Hayes PC. Index serum hyaluronic acid independently and accurately predicts mortality in patients with liver disease. Aliment Pharmacol Ther 2018; 48:423-430. [PMID: 29971829 DOI: 10.1111/apt.14897] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/22/2018] [Revised: 02/17/2018] [Accepted: 06/13/2018] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Hyaluronic acid is a recognised noninvasive marker of liver fibrosis. However, its prognostic ability has not been extensively studied. AIMS To investigate the ability of an index serum hyaluronic acid measurement to independently predict transplant-free survival in patients with liver disease of varying aetiology and severity. METHODS This was a retrospective single-centre cohort study. Serum hyaluronic acid was measured at the discretion of the attending clinicians, in patients attending the liver clinic, to assess disease severity. Patients with a hyaluronic acid measurement between 1995 and 2010 were identified. Patient characteristics at the point of hyaluronic acid measurement were recorded from medical records. Follow-up was from date of index hyaluronic acid measurement to date of death, date of transplant or censor date (July 01, 2015). Primary outcomes were all-cause and liver-related mortality. Kaplan-Meier analysis was used to compare survival in 3 patient groups with hyaluronic acid levels of <100 μg/L, 100-300 μg/L and >300 μg/L. Survival models were constructed using Cox proportional hazard and prediction accuracy was assessed by Harrell's C-statistic. RESULTS Five hundred and eighty nine patients fulfilled inclusion criteria. Median follow-up was 5.6 years (range 0.1-19.7). Transplant-free survival was significantly different between patients with hyaluronic acid <100 μg/L, 100-300 μg/L and >300 μg/L for liver-related as well as all-cause mortality (P < 0.001). Hyaluronic acid level was an independent predictor of survival (liver-related: HR 1.39, 95% CI 1.20-1.60, P < 0.001; all-cause: HR 1.04, 95% CI 1.02-1.06, P = 0.001). The liver-related prediction accuracy of hyaluronic acid was 0.74 (Standard error 0.03). CONCLUSION Index hyaluronic acid measurement can accurately and independently predict liver-related and all-cause mortality in patients with liver disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- N Plevris
- Department of Gastroenterology, Western General Hospital, Edinburgh, UK
| | - R Sinha
- Centre for Liver and Digestive Disorders, Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | - A W Hay
- Critical Care, Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | - N McDonald
- Department of Medicine, Royal Alexandra Hospital, Paisley, UK
| | - J N Plevris
- Centre for Liver and Digestive Disorders, Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | - P C Hayes
- Department of Hepatology, Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
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Jiang D, Liang J, Noble PW. Hyaluronan as an immune regulator in human diseases. Physiol Rev 2011; 91:221-64. [PMID: 21248167 DOI: 10.1152/physrev.00052.2009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 744] [Impact Index Per Article: 57.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Accumulation and turnover of extracellular matrix components are the hallmarks of tissue injury. Fragmented hyaluronan stimulates the expression of inflammatory genes by a variety of immune cells at the injury site. Hyaluronan binds to a number of cell surface proteins on various cell types. Hyaluronan fragments signal through both Toll-like receptor (TLR) 4 and TLR2 as well as CD44 to stimulate inflammatory genes in inflammatory cells. Hyaluronan is also present on the cell surface of epithelial cells and provides protection against tissue damage from the environment by interacting with TLR2 and TLR4. Hyaluronan and hyaluronan-binding proteins regulate inflammation, tissue injury, and repair through regulating inflammatory cell recruitment, release of inflammatory cytokines, and cell migration. This review focuses on the role of hyaluronan as an immune regulator in human diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dianhua Jiang
- Department of Medicine, Division of Pulmonary, Allergy, and Critical Care Medicine, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, North Carolina 27710, USA.
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Nunes D, Fleming C, Offner G, Craven D, Fix O, Heeren T, Koziel MJ, Graham C, Tumilty S, Skolnik P, Stuver S, Horsburgh CR, Cotton D. Noninvasive markers of liver fibrosis are highly predictive of liver-related death in a cohort of HCV-infected individuals with and without HIV infection. Am J Gastroenterol 2010; 105:1346-53. [PMID: 20179698 DOI: 10.1038/ajg.2009.746] [Citation(s) in RCA: 117] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Noninvasive markers of liver fibrosis correlate with the stage of liver fibrosis, but have not been widely applied to predict liver-related mortality. METHODS We assessed the ability of two indices of liver fibrosis, aspartate aminotransferase (AST)-to-platelet ratio index (APRI) and Fib-4, and two markers of extracellular matrix metabolism, hyaluronic acid (HA) and YKL40, to predict liver mortality in a prospective cohort of hepatitis C virus (HCV)-infected individuals with and without HIV coinfection. These were compared with two established prognostic scores, the Child-Pugh-Turcotte (CPT) and model of end-stage liver disease (MELD) scores. RESULTS A total of 303 subjects, of whom 207 were HIV positive at study entry, were followed up for a mean period of 3.1 years. There were 33 deaths due to liver disease. The ability of each test and score to predict 3-year liver mortality was expressed as the area under the receiver operator curve. The area under the receiver operator curve 95% confidence intervals were: HA 0.92 (0.86-0.96), CPT 0.91 (0.79-0.96), APRI 0.88 (0.80-0.93), Fib-4 0.87 (0.77-0.92), MELD 0.84 (71-0.91). In multivariate analyses HA, APRI, and fib-4 were independent predictors of mortality when included in models with MELD or CPT. CONCLUSION Noninvasive markers of liver fibrosis are highly predictive of liver outcome in HCV-infected individuals with and without HIV coinfection. These markers seem to have a prognostic value independent of CPT and MELD.
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Affiliation(s)
- David Nunes
- Section of Gastroenterology, Boston Medical Center, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts 02118, USA.
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Comparison and improvement of MELD and Child-Pugh score accuracies for the prediction of 6-month mortality in cirrhotic patients. J Clin Gastroenterol 2009; 43:580-5. [PMID: 19197195 DOI: 10.1097/mcg.0b013e3181889468] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND/GOALS Superiority of the model for end-stage liver disease (MELD) over the Child-Pugh score for the prediction of outcome in patients with chronic liver disease is still debated. The main objective of this prospective study was to evaluate the accuracy of the Child-Pugh score, the MELD, and the new score, MELD-Na, combining MELD and serum sodium (Na), for the prediction of 6-month mortality in cirrhotic patients. STUDY In all, 308 consecutive cirrhotic patients were included. Child-Pugh score, MELD, and MELD-Na were calculated at the inclusion. RESULTS In all, 154 patients (50.0%) had decompensated cirrhosis. Forty-five patients died during the 6-month follow-up: 3 in the subgroup of compensated cirrhosis and 42 in the decompensated subgroup (1.9% vs. 27.3%, P<10(-3)). Area under the receiver operating characteristic curve for the prediction of 6-month mortality of Child-Pugh score, MELD, and MELD-Na were, respectively, in the whole population: 0.882, 0.866, and 0.887 (P=NS), and in the subgroup of decompensated cirrhosis: 0.796, 0.800, and 0.833 (P=NS). MELD-Na had the highest accuracy but the difference reached statistical significance only with the Child-Pugh score in the subgroup of patients with decompensated cirrhosis (79.9% vs. 68.0%, P=0.006). The combination of Child-Pugh score or MELD with other variables reflecting the circulatory dysfunction observed in end-stage liver disease significantly improved the accuracy of these 2 models. CONCLUSIONS Child-Pugh score remains a simple and effective tool for the prognostic assessment of cirrhotic patients at bedside and can still be used in clinical practice. MELD, and especially MELD-Na, should be reserved for patients with decompensated cirrhosis.
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Abstract
Connective tissue growth factor (CTGF=CCN2), one of six members of cysteine-rich, secreted, heparin-binding proteins with a modular structure, is recognized as an important player in fibrogenic pathways as deduced from findings in non-hepatic tissues and emerging results from liver fibrosis. Collectively, the data show strongly increased expression in fibrosing tissues and transforming growth factor (TGF-beta)-stimulated expression in hepatocytes, biliary epithelial cells and stellate cells. Functional activity as a mediator of fibre-fibre, fibre-matrix and matrix-matrix interactions, as an enhancer of profibrogenic TGF-beta and several secondary effects owing to TGF-beta enhancement, and as a down-modulator of the bioactivity of bone morphogenetic protein-7 has been proposed. By changing the activity ratio of TGF-beta to its antagonist bone-morphogenetic protein-7, CTGF is proposed as a fibrogenic master switch for epithelial-mesenchymal transition. Consequently, knockdown of CTGF considerably attenuates experimental liver fibrosis. The spill-over of CTGF from the liver into the blood stream proposes this protein as a non-invasive reporter of TGF-beta bioactivity in this organ. Indeed, CTGF-levels in sera correlate significantly with fibrogenic activity. The data suggest CTGF as a multifaceted regulatory protein in fibrosis, which offers important translational aspects for diagnosis and follow-up of hepatic fibrogenesis and as a target for therapeutic interventions. In addition, CTGF-promoter polymorphism might be of importance as a prognostic genetic marker to predict the progression of fibrosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Olav A Gressner
- Institute of Clinical Chemistry and Pathobiochemistry, RWTH-University Hospital, Aachen, Germany
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Augusto VS, Castro E Silva O, Souza MEJ, Sankarankutty AK. Evaluation of the respiratory muscle strength of cirrhotic patients: relationship with Child-Turcotte-Pugh scoring system. Transplant Proc 2008; 40:774-6. [PMID: 18455013 DOI: 10.1016/j.transproceed.2008.03.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Pulmonary abnormalities are observed in chronic hepatopathy. The measurement of the maximum inspiratory and expiratory pressure may evaluate lung function and the risks associated with hepatic transplantation. Thus, the present work sought to evaluate the respiratory muscle strength of 29 patients between 17 and 63 years old who were enrolled for liver transplantation. The patients were classified according to Child-Turcotte-Pugh score as A, B, or C, and also according to a physiotherapeutic evaluation, which included measurement of respiratory muscle strength by means of a digital manovacuometer, which determines the maximum inspiratory pressure (MaxIP) and the maximum expiratory pressure (MaxEP). The tests were performed with seated individuals having their nostrils obstructed by a nasal clip. The MaxIP was measured during the effort initiated in the residual volume, whereas the MaxEP was measured during the effort initiated in the total pulmonary capacity, keeping pressures stable for at least 1 second. The statistical analysis was performed through using the Mann-Whitney test with a 5% level of significance. The MaxIP values of Child A 95.5 +/- 40.507 cm H(2)O (average +/- DP) and Child B 87.2 +/- 35.02 patients were higher than those for Child C patients (34.83 +/- 3.68; P < .05). Similar results were observed for the MaxEP of Child A and B groups (116.25 +/- 31.98 and 97.28 +/- 31.08, respectively; P < .05), versus the Child C group (48.16 +/- 22.60). Between groups A and B, the MaxEP were similar (P > .05). We concluded that Child C patients display muscle weakness significantly greater than that of subjects classified as Child A or B.
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Affiliation(s)
- V S Augusto
- Special liver Transplantation Unit, Departments of Surgery and Anatomy, Ribeirão Preto School of Medicine, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
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Gresele P, Binetti BM, Branca G, Clerici C, Asciutti S, Morelli A, Semeraro N, Colucci M. TAFI deficiency in liver cirrhosis: Relation with plasma fibrinolysis and survival. Thromb Res 2008; 121:763-8. [PMID: 17915296 DOI: 10.1016/j.thromres.2007.08.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/04/2007] [Revised: 08/14/2007] [Accepted: 08/30/2007] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION TAFI (thrombin-activatable fibrinolysis inhibitor) is a potent anti-fibrinolytic and anti-inflammatory factor of liver origin. It is markedly reduced in liver cirrhosis but its effect on fibrinolysis remains controversial and no data are available on its prognostic value. We evaluated the relationship of TAFI level with plasma fibrinolysis and survival in cirrhotic patients. PATIENTS AND METHODS Sixty-five patients with liver cirrhosis were studied. TAFI antigen, plasma fibrinolysis and other laboratory variables were assayed at study entry and their association with mortality was assessed during a 3-year follow-up. RESULTS TAFI level and fibrinolysis time were markedly reduced in liver cirrhosis as compared to healthy subjects (p<0.0001) and TAFI deficiency was strongly correlated with fibrinolysis time (p=0.0002). TAFI level at entry, but not fibrinolysis time, was significantly lower in non-survivors (n=25) than in survivors (n=40, p=0.0001). By Cox regression analysis, after adjustment for possible confounding factors, TAFI, but not fibrinolysis time, was identified as an independent predictor of mortality. TAFI assay, moreover, showed a clinically relevant accuracy in assessing patients' survival (ROC curve analysis, p<0.0001) achieving a sensitivity of 92%, a specificity of 55%, and a negative predictive value of 91.7%. CONCLUSIONS Our data indicate that TAFI deficiency in liver cirrhosis is associated with enhanced plasma fibrinolysis. Moreover, they suggest that TAFI, but not fibrinolysis time, is a strong predictor of survival and thus TAFI assay might prove useful to select candidates for liver transplantation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paolo Gresele
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Internal and Cardiovascular Medicine, University of Perugia, Via E. Dal Pozzo, 06126 Perugia, Italy.
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Models for prediction of mortality from cirrhosis with special reference to artificial neural network: a critical review. Hepatol Int 2007; 2:31-8. [PMID: 19669277 DOI: 10.1007/s12072-007-9026-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/04/2007] [Revised: 07/27/2007] [Accepted: 08/08/2007] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
Prediction of mortality of patients with cirrhosis of liver, a common and potentially fatal disease, is important for timely listing of patients for liver transplantation. The Child-Pugh scoring system has been widely used for predicting the outcome of liver cirrhosis. The Model for End-Stage Liver Disease (MELD) score has recently become popular for prediction of short-term mortality for organ allocation. A few studies that evaluated artificial neural network (ANN)-based model for prediction of outcome of cirrhosis of liver in terms of mortality have consistently shown it to be superior to Child-Pugh scoring and logistic regression-based models; it is worth noting that MELD score is also derived using the logistic regression model. Due to the inherent ability of neural network-based systems in identifying complex nonlinear interactions, ANN-based models are expected to perform better than most linear models, such as regression-based models. More studies are needed on ANN-based models for prediction of mortality of patients with cirrhosis of liver and its value in prioritization of organ allocation for treatment of patients with cirrhosis of liver.
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Tacke F, Trautwein C, Yagmur E, Hellerbrand C, Wiest R, Brenner DA, Schnabl B. Up-regulated eotaxin plasma levels in chronic liver disease patients indicate hepatic inflammation, advanced fibrosis and adverse clinical course. J Gastroenterol Hepatol 2007; 22:1256-64. [PMID: 17688666 DOI: 10.1111/j.1440-1746.2006.04621.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND AIMS Recent studies highlight the role of chemokines for the attraction of inflammatory cells in liver injury and fibrogenesis. The CC chemokine ligand 11, eotaxin (CCL11), is up-regulated in senescent human hepatic stellate cells and crucial in animal models of T-cell mediated hepatitis. The aim of this study was to analyze the role of eotaxin in chronic liver disease. METHODS Plasma eotaxin levels of 111 patients with chronic liver disease were correlated with clinical presentation, laboratory parameters, liver histology and clinical course in a 6-year follow-up. RESULTS Eotaxin concentrations were significantly up-regulated in patients with liver cirrhosis and increased according to Child-Pugh and model of end-stage liver disease (MELD) score. Eotaxin correlated with the hepatic biosynthetic capacity and other inflammatory cytokines. High eotaxin was associated with hepatic necroinflammation and fibrosis in liver histology. In patients with typical clinical complications of cirrhosis, eotaxin was found to be increased. High eotaxin indicated an unfavorable prognosis in 6-year follow-up. CONCLUSIONS High eotaxin expression may be involved in the pathogenesis of chronic liver diseases. Plasma eotaxin levels correlate with the degree of liver cirrhosis and could serve as an additional biomarker indicating histological hepatic necroinflammation and fibrosis as well as an adverse clinical course.
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Affiliation(s)
- Frank Tacke
- Medical Clinic III, University Hospital Aachen, Aachen, Germany.
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12
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Tacke F, Fiedler K, Trautwein C. A simple clinical score predicts high risk for upper gastrointestinal hemorrhages from varices in patients with chronic liver disease. Scand J Gastroenterol 2007; 42:374-82. [PMID: 17354118 DOI: 10.1080/00365520600930826] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Upper gastrointestinal (GI) bleeding from esophageal or gastric fundus varices is a common complication of portal hypertension in liver cirrhosis and carries a high mortality rate of 20-35%. Stratifying high-risk patients for variceal bleeding is mainly based on endoscopic scoring. The purpose of this study was to develop a simple clinical score to assess the bleeding risk. MATERIAL AND METHODS A total of 111 patients with chronic liver diseases were included during evaluation for potential liver transplantation and were followed for 6 years. Findings at study entry were analyzed for their value in predicting hemorrhages. RESULTS Twenty-four patients (22%) developed upper GI hemorrhages from varices during the follow-up period. Common characteristics at study entry of patients with future bleedings included viral hepatitis or alcoholic etiology, advanced-stage cirrhosis, decreased liver function, impaired hemostasis and endoscopic presence of varices. These parameters were also independent predictors of bleedings. A four-item Bleeding Risk Score, including cholinesterase <2.25 kU/l, international normalized ratio (INR) >1.2, viral or alcoholic etiology and presence of varices, was used to identify patients at high (>2 points) or low (<or=2) risk of bleedings, and found superior in sensitivity and specificity to the Child-Pugh or MELD score. CONCLUSIONS A simple clinical score can predict the risk for upper GI bleedings in patients with chronic liver disease. This Bleeding Risk Score may help to supplement current endoscopic and clinical approaches to identify high-risk patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Frank Tacke
- Medical Clinic III, University Hospital Aachen, Aschen, Germany.
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13
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Yagmur E, Trautwein C, Gressner AM, Tacke F. Resistin serum levels are associated with insulin resistance, disease severity, clinical complications, and prognosis in patients with chronic liver diseases. Am J Gastroenterol 2006; 101:1244-52. [PMID: 16771945 DOI: 10.1111/j.1572-0241.2006.00543.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 65] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Hyperinsulinemia and insulin resistance are present in nearly all patients with liver cirrhosis. Resistin, a mainly adipose-derived peptide hormone, reduces insulin sensitivity in adipocytes, skeletal muscles, and hepatocytes. In experimental cirrhosis models, resistin expression is upregulated. We aimed to evaluate the potential clinical value of resistin in chronic liver diseases (CLD). METHODS Serum resistin was measured in 82 non-diabetic CLD patients during evaluation for potential liver transplantation and 76 age- and sex-matched healthy controls. Patients were followed for 6 yr. RESULTS Resistin serum levels were significantly elevated in patients with liver cirrhosis compared with healthy controls (p<0.001). Resistin increased with stage of liver cirrhosis as defined by Child-Pugh or model for end-stage liver disease (MELD) score. Serum resistin correlated with insulin secretion (C-peptide, p<0.001) and inversely with insulin sensitivity (HOMA-index, p=0.008) in CLD patients. Resistin also correlated inversely with markers of hepatic biosynthetic capacity and positively with markers of inflammation such as tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha) or C-reactive protein (CRP), as well as with clinical complications, e.g., portal hypertension. Patients with elevated resistin had increased mortality in 6-yr-survival (p=0.005, Cox regression model). CONCLUSION Resistin offers novel application potential as a clinical biomarker in the assessment of liver cirrhosis. Elevated resistin may contribute to insulin resistance in advanced liver dysfunction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eray Yagmur
- Institute of Clinical Chemistry and Pathobiochemistry, RWTH-University Hospital Aachen, Germany
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Yagmur E, Tacke F, Weiss C, Lahme B, Manns MP, Kiefer P, Trautwein C, Gressner AM. Elevation of Nepsilon-(carboxymethyl)lysine-modified advanced glycation end products in chronic liver disease is an indicator of liver cirrhosis. Clin Biochem 2006; 39:39-45. [PMID: 16321365 DOI: 10.1016/j.clinbiochem.2005.07.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 57] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2005] [Revised: 07/29/2005] [Accepted: 07/29/2005] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Progression of liver fibrosis to cirrhosis is a dire consequence of chronic liver diseases (CLD). Nepsilon-(carboxymethyl)lysine (CML)-modified advanced glycation end products (AGEs) in patients with CLD could reflect the degree of severity of the disease. DESIGN AND METHODS In 110 patients with CLD and 124 healthy controls, CML serum levels and their diagnostic sensitivity and specificity were determined and compared to hyaluronan (HA). RESULTS Serum levels of CML were significantly affected by the stage of liver cirrhosis and were closely associated with liver function capacity. CML correlated positively with HA (r = 0.639, P < 0.0001). In ROC analysis, the diagnostic sensitivity and specificity in distinguishing healthy controls from liver disease patients for CML (AUC 0.908; 95%-CI 0.863-0.942, cut-off 640 ng/mL, sensitivity 74.5% and specificity 97.6%) resembled HA (AUC 0.948; 95%-CI 0.907-0.974; cut-off 50 ng/mL, sensitivity 80.7% and specificity 97.9%). The combination of CML and HA shows an AUC of 0.932; 95%-CI 0.888-0.962; sensitivity 82.6%; and specificity 95.8%. CONCLUSIONS Our data suggest that serum levels of CML could provide a supplementary diagnostic marker for advanced stages of liver cirrhosis. However, the quality of interaction needs further investigation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eray Yagmur
- Institute of Clinical Chemistry and Pathobiochemistry, University Hospital Aachen (UKA), Aachen University (RWTH), Pauwelsstrasse 30, 52074 Aachen, Germany.
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15
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Testa E, Malfatti F, Milazzo S, Cordiviola C, Cotellessa T, Marabotto E, Giannini E, Ceppa P, Mamone M, Risso D, Testa R. Hyaluronic acid and aspartate aminotransferase levels normalized by liver function can reflect sinusoidal impairment in chronic liver disease. Liver Int 2006; 26:439-44. [PMID: 16629647 DOI: 10.1111/j.1478-3231.2006.01251.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/13/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND/AIM To evaluate the relationship between hyaluronic acid/aminopyrine breath test (HA/ABT) ratio and fibrosis score in chronic hepatitis, and between HA/ABT and clinical staging (child-turcotte-pugh'score, CTP; and model for end stage liver disease, MELD) in cirrhosis, as well as to evaluate the aspartate aminotransferase (AST)/ABT in relation to the HA/ABT. METHODS We studied 48 patients with histologically proven chronic hepatitis C (CHC) and 35 patients with compensated cirrhosis (CIR). RESULTS HA/ABT and AST/ABT showed a more significant correlation with the fibrosis score than HA or ABT or AST alone in the 48 CHC patients: r=0.568 (P<0.0001), r=0.610 (P<0.0001), r=0.450 (P=0.0021), r=-0.449 (P=0.0021), and r=0.472(P=0.0012), respectively. Progressive liver damage (fibrosis 1-2 vs fibrosis 3-6 vs cirrhosis) was significantly (P<0.05) reflected by both HA/ABT (mean+/-SEM: 4.0+/-0.9 vs 18.1+/-4.2 vs 149.9+/-33.1) and AST/ABT (6.3+/-1.8 vs 12.7+/-1.6 vs 42.1+/-14.6). A strong relationship was found between HA/ABT and AST/ABT (r=0.755 P<0.0001). In cirrhotic patients, the most significant relationship was observed between HA/ABT and CTP r=0.483 and P=0.0049, and MELD r=0.523 and P=0.0023. CONCLUSION Considering that HA levels in chronic hepatitis depend on the progressive impairment of sinusoidal endothelial cells (SEC), related to progressive fibrosis, HA/ABT ratio would seem to be the most specific reflection of progressive impairment of the SEC. AST/ABT could be used as a possible surrogate of HA in identifying SEC impairment in chronic hepatitis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emanuela Testa
- Gastroenterology Unit and Postgraduate School of Gastroenterology, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy.
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16
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Tacke F, Fiedler K, von Depka M, Luedde T, Hecker H, Manns MP, Ganser A, Trautwein C. Clinical and prognostic role of plasma coagulation factor XIII activity for bleeding disorders and 6-year survival in patients with chronic liver disease. Liver Int 2006; 26:173-81. [PMID: 16448455 DOI: 10.1111/j.1478-3231.2005.01205.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/13/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND/AIMS Alterations of plasma coagulation factor XIII may contribute to bleeding disorders in patients with liver cirrhosis. As standard clotting tests such as prothrombin time or activated thromboplastin time (aPTT) cannot detect factor XIII deficiency, this may often be overlooked in clinical practice. We aimed to define factor XIII's clinical and prognostic role in chronic liver disease. PATIENTS AND METHODS Factor XIII activities were assessed among various other parameters in 111 patients with chronic liver diseases during evaluation for liver transplantation in a prospective study. RESULTS Unlike coagulation factors II, V or VII, factor XIII activity was maintained in the majority of patients with liver cirrhosis. However, although rarely, factor XIII deficiencies (<50%) occurred, especially in Child C cirrhosis. Factor XIII levels correlated with liver's biosynthetic capacity (cholinesterase activity, albumin, total protein) as well as with platelet count, global coagulation tests and other single coagulation factors. Patients reporting a current systemic bleeding tendency at study entry had significantly reduced factor XIII. In a 6-year follow-up, patients with factor XIII<50% had a significantly increased risk of severe upper gastrointestinal bleed, and reduced factor XIII (<50%, 50-75% vs. normal) was associated with increased mortality. CONCLUSIONS Factor XIII deficiency is rare in patients with liver cirrhosis, but is associated with a clinical bleeding tendency and an unfavorable prognosis for future hemorrhages and survival.
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Affiliation(s)
- Frank Tacke
- Department of Gastroenterology, Hepatology & Endocrinology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
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17
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D'Amico G, Garcia-Tsao G, Pagliaro L. Natural history and prognostic indicators of survival in cirrhosis: a systematic review of 118 studies. J Hepatol 2006; 44:217-31. [PMID: 16298014 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhep.2005.10.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1943] [Impact Index Per Article: 107.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/28/2005] [Accepted: 10/28/2005] [Indexed: 12/04/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Gennaro D'Amico
- Gastroenterology Unit, Ospedale Cervello and University of Palermo, Italy.
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Abstract
AIM: To determine the correlation between portal hemodynamics and spleen function among different grades of cirrhosis and verify its significance in cirrhosis staging.
METHODS: The portal and splenic vein hemodynamics and spleen size were investigated by ultrasonography in consecutive 38 cirrhotic patients with cirrhosis (Child’s grades A to C) and 20 normal controls. The differences were compared in portal vein diameter and flow velocity between patients with and without ascites and between patients with mild and severe esophageal varices. The correlation between peripheral blood cell counts and Child’s grades was also determined.
RESULTS: The portal flow velocity and volume were significantly lower in patients with Child’s C (12.25±1.67 cm/s vs 788.59±234 mm/min, respectively) cirrhosis compared to controls (19.55±3.28 cm/s vs 1254.03±410 mm/min, respectively) and those with Child’s A (18.5±3.02 cm/s vs 1358.48±384 mm/min, respectively) and Child’s B (16.0±3.89 cm/s vs 1142.23±390 mm/min, respectively) cirrhosis. Patients with ascites had much lower portal flow velocity and volume (13.0±1.72 cm/s vs 1078±533 mm/min) than those without ascites (18.6±2.60 cm/s vs 1394±354 mm/min). There was no statistical difference between patients with mild and severe esophageal varices. The portal vein diameter was not significantly different among the above groups. There were significant differences in splenic vein diameter, flow velocity and white blood cell count, but not in spleen size, red blood cell and platelet counts among the various grades of cirrhosis. The spleen size was negatively correlated with red blood cell and platelet counts (r = -0.620 and r = -0.8.34, respectively).
CONCLUSION: An optimal system that includes parameters representing the portal hemodynamics and spleen function should be proposed for cirrhosis staging.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bao-Min Shi
- Department of General Surgery, Shandong Provincial Hospital, Clinical College of Shandong University, 324 Jingwu Road, Jinan 250021, Shandong Province, China.
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