A Study of Acute Phase Proteins in Liver Diseases

Abstract

It is stated that the acute phase protein levels increased during the inflammatory reactions such as trauma ,aseptic necrosis and infections. Present study is to study the levels of acute phase protein synthesis in the liver disorders like cirrhosis of liver and infective hepatitis. Materials And Methods: 50 cases of liver disorders and 10 normal individuals were chosen for the present study. Determination of serum ceruloplasmin, transferrin, A/G ratio, serum total bilirubin, alanine amino transferase, alkaline phosphatase, HDL cholesterol, total cholesterol is done. Results: when compared with controls, a significant increase (P 0.001) decrease in total proteins and albumin is observerd in cases of cirrhosis of liver . A significant increase (P 0.5) decrease in total proteins and albumin is observerd in cases of infective hepatitis . Discussion: Elevated ceruloplasmin levels are characteristically present in acute infections and various inflammatory states. Many pathological conditions are accompanied by a marked increase in plasma copper and ceruloplasmin levels. Serum ceruloplasmin levels increased both in cirrhosis of liver and viral hepatitis in this study. An increase in transferrin levels is seen in hemochromatosis and infective hepatitis. In this study there is decrease in albumin levels in all cases of liver diseases more so in cirrhosis of liver is seen. Conclusion: Increased levels of serum ceruloplasmin and transferrin levels indicates the liver disorders with tissue lesions accompanied by inflammatory process. The acute phase proteins in liver disorders may play a role in the process of regeneration of damaged tissues. I. Introduction It is stated that the acute phase protein levels increased during the inflammatory reactions such as trauma ,aseptic necrosis and infections. Acute phase proteins are synthesized in liver.To establish the variations in acute phase protein synthesis in the liver disorders like cirrhosis of liver and infective hepatitis. (1)This work is done..The diagnosis of cirrhosis of liver is established by the other parameters like serum bilirubin , alanine amino transferase , alkaline phosphatase . Acute phase proteins which show marked increase in concentration during the early stages of disorders with tissue lesions accompanied by inflammation such as trauma , aseptic necrosis and infections. The term acute phase protein is imprecise as the same proteins also show up with high plasma concentration and high rate of synthesis in conditions accompanied by sub-acute or chronic inflammation. The difference between the plasma protein pattern in acute and in chronic inflammation mainly concerns the immunoglobulins and not the acute phase proteins. An increase in plasma concentrations of acute phase proteins is a regular part of inflammatory response. Ceruloplasmin and transferrin are included in the group of acute phase proteins, but their increase during most acute inflammation is less pronounced that of the other proteins. The other acute phase proteins that are changed in liver disorders are alpha-1 antitrypsin, c- reactive protein and fibrinogen etc. In viral hepatitis and cirrhosis, the serum albumin levels bear a close relation to the clinical state and are helpful in prognosis and treatment of the disease.(2)