Beta 2-microglobulin concentration in plasma and production in liver cirrhosis.

Abstract

The beta 2-microglobulin plasma level is often high in patients suffering from cirrhosis. Many authors believe this to be due to an increased production, provided that the creatinine level is in the normal range. In the present study, alterations in the plasma level and production of beta 2-microglobulin were investigated in patients with liver cirrhosis without overt renal failure. 62 patients, 48 men and 14 women, suffering from liver cirrhosis were examined. The glomerular filtration rate (GFR) and plasma beta 2-microglobulin were measured in all patients and in 16 controls. As beta 2-microglobulin is freely filtered by glomeruli and its extrarenal catabolism is negligible, the beta 2-microglobulin filtration rate was calculated as the product of the beta 2-microglobulin plasma level times the GFR. In steady state conditions, the beta 2-microglobulin filtration rate may be used as an indirect index of beta 2-microglobulin production. The beta 2-microglobulin plasma level was high in 26 patients; however, only 12 of them showed a definite rise in beta 2-microglobulin production, as shown by an increased beta 2-microglobulin filtration rate. The 14 patients with high beta 2-microglobulin plasma levels without high beta 2-microglobulin filtration rates obviously showed a decreased GFR; however, creatinine was not increased because of its small sensitivity as an index of renal function. A linear correlation was found between IgG and the beta 2-microglobulin filtration rate (r = 052; p less than 0.02), not between IgG and the beta 2-microglobulin plasma level. The other indices of liver damage were not related to the beta 2-microglobulin filtration rate of plasma level.