Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay for serum procollagen type III peptide in rats with hepatic fibrosis

Advances in the clinical use of collagen as biomarker of liver fibrosis

INTRODUCTION

Hepatic fibrosis is the excessive synthesis and deposition of extracellular matrix including collagen in the tissue. Chronic liver insult leads to progressive parenchymal damage, portal hypertension, and cirrhosis. Determination of hepatic collagen by invasive liver biopsy is the gold standard to estimate severity and stage of fibrosis. However, this procedure is associated with pain, carries the risk of infection and bleeding, and is afflicted with a high degree of sampling error. Therefore, there is urgent need for serological collagen-derived markers to assess collagen synthesis/turnover.

AREAS COVERED

Biochemical properties of collagens, cellular sources of hepatic collagen synthesis, and regulatory aspects in collagen expression. Markers are discussed suitable to estimate hepatic collagen synthesis and/or turnover. Discussed studies were identified through a PubMed search done in May 2020 and the authors' topic knowledge.

EXPERT OPINION

Hepatic fibrosis is mainly characterized by accumulation of collagen-rich scar tissue. Although traditionally performed liver biopsy is still standard in estimating hepatic fibrosis, there is evidence that noninvasive diagnostic scores and collagen-derived neo-epitopes provide clinical useful information. These noninvasive tests are less expensive than liver biopsy, better tolerated, safer, and more acceptable to patients. Therefore, these tests will lead to dramatic changes in diagnosis.

Protein fingerprinting of the extracellular matrix remodelling in a rat model of liver fibrosis--a serological evaluation

BACKGROUND/AIM

We investigated nine novel biomarkers of extracellular matrix (ECM) remodelling in a rat model of liver fibrosis.

METHODS

Liver fibrosis was induced in 52 male Wistar rats by inhalation of carbon tetrachloride and the level of hepatic fibrosis was assessed by Sirius red staining compared with controls. The novel serum biochemical markers assessed in the model were type I-(C1M), type III-(C3M), type IV-(C4M) and type VI-(C6M) collagen, citrullinated vimentin (VICM) and biglycan (BGM) all protein fragments generated by matrix metalloproteinases; and formation markers of type III-(P3NP), type VI (P4NP 7S) and type V (P5CP) collagen; hepatic mRNA type I collagen alpha-1 chain levels, serum potassium, sodium, osmolarity, alanine aminotransferase, lactate dehydrogenase, albumin and creatinine.

RESULTS

Stratification of the CCl(4) -treated rats according to total hepatic collagen showed that the degradation markers were significantly elevated in mild to severe fibrosis except for C6M which was also elevated in early fibrosis (P < 0.05). The highest Z-scores in early and moderate fibrosis were provided by P4NP 7S and alanine aminotransferase. All nine markers of ECM remodelling were highly related to the extent of liver fibrosis induced by CCl(4) . The novel collagen formation marker, P4NP 7S, was reliable for the detection of early fibrosis, while the combination of the two markers, C6M and P5CP provided the best correlation with hepatic fibrosis in all fibrosis levels.

CONCLUSION

As the markers can be used for translational science, these markers may provide valuable information for the evaluation of liver fibrosis in clinical settings.

Effect of Oxymatrine on experimental liver fibrosis

AIM: To study the effect of Oxymatrine on liver fibrosis in immunogenic liver fibrosis rat model.

METHODS: Rat liver fibrosis model was induced by human serum albumin (HSA), 60 Wistar rats were randomly divided into 5 groups, control group without any treatment, liver fibrosis model group, oxymatrine preventive group, oxymatrine therapeutic group, and cochicine therapeutic group. The pathological changes of liver were observed by HE and Von-Gieson staining. The expressions of mRNA and proteins of collagen I/III in liver were determined by in situ hybridization and immunohistochemistry.

RESULTS: The liver fibrosis degree and level of mRNA and proteins of collagen I/III in the liver were significantly reduced in the decreasing order in oxymatrine preventive group, oxymatrine therapeutic group, and cochicine therapeutic group.

CONCLUSION: Oxymatrine may inhibit hepatic inflammation and hepatic synthesis of collagen I/III, and thus prevent and inhibit hepatic fibrosis.