Association of serum osteoprotegerin with severity of chronic liver disease in female patients: A potential biomarker.

Saba Tariq,Shaista Hussain,Sundus Tariq,Mukhtiar Baig

doi:10.12669/pjms.36.6.2678

Abstract

Objective:To determine the association of serum osteoprotegerin (OPG) with the severity of chronic liver disease in female patients.Methods:This case-control study was conducted in Madina Teaching Hospital from 2019-2020.An institutional review board of University Medical and Dental College, The University of Faisalabad gave the approval to conduct the study. Only female patients of age group 40 to 60 years having CLD were included in this study. Total 80 participants were enrolled after fulfilling the inclusion and exclusion criteria. Serum OPG levels were measured by enzyme linked immunosorbant assay (ELISA) supplied by ELAB Sciences, USA. The severity of disease was assessed by Child-Pugh classification.Results:OPG levels were significantly different between the three Child-Pugh classes. OPG levels were significantly high in class C indicating increased level of this cytokine in CLD as compared to class A (p = <0.05). There was a positive association of OPG with splenomegaly (OR = 2.10, p = <0.001), hepatomegaly (OR = 4.41, (p = <0.05), skin pigmentation (OR = 2.06, p = <0.05), malena (OR = 1.87, p = <0.05) and prolonged bleeding (OR = 1.86, p = <0.05).Conclusion:The levels of serum Osteoprotegerin is increased in severe form of chronic liver disease (Class C) of Child-Pughs classification as compared to mild (Class A) and moderate (Class B) forms of Child-Pughs classification.

Highlights

The extent of public health burden of Chronic liver disease (CLD) is becoming so frequent that it is considered as one of the main cause of death in underdeveloped countries.[1]
The main mechanism for the progression of CLD is the inflammation of supporting network of liver resulting in hepatic scarring and disturbed architecture due to assembling of collagens and proteoglycans that leads to liver cirrhosis.[3]
RANK, RANKL and OPG are the members of TNF superfamily and osteoprotegerin competes with RANKL for binding with RANK that result in its activation that are necessary to start several biochemical cascades.[5]

Summary

Introduction

The extent of public health burden of Chronic liver disease (CLD) is becoming so frequent that it is considered as one of the main cause of death in underdeveloped countries.[1]. The main mechanism for the progression of CLD is the inflammation of supporting network of liver resulting in hepatic scarring and disturbed architecture due to assembling of collagens and proteoglycans that leads to liver cirrhosis.[3] Cirrhosis is one of the complication of CLD and can be characterized as the formation of small irregular non-neoplastic masses that are encircled by dense bands of fibrosis that leads to raised blood pressure in portal venous system and chronic liver failure.[4]. Osteoprotegerin levels are elevated as a compensatory response to halt the bone loss which is common in CLD.[6] A recent research shows, that there is up-regulation of gene expression of these members of TNF superfamily in serum of patients with jaundice that results in elevation of serum osteoprotegerin in patients of chronic liver disease.[7]

Methods

Results

Conclusion