Comparison and correlation analysis of α-SMA, TLR4 and sFgl2 in viral hepatitis

Abstract

Objective To compare the expressions of Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4), soluble fibrinogen-like protein 2 (sFgl2) and alpha-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) in viral hepatitis patients and to explore their correlations with viral hepatitis. Methods Forty patients with viral hepatitis in our hospital were selected as the viral hepatitis group and 20 healthy people as the control group. The expressions of α-SMA, TLR4 and sFgl2 were detected and their correlations with viral hepatitis was studied. Results Compared with the control group, the expression levels of α-SMA, TLR4 and sFgl2 in viral hepatitis group were higher (P<0.01). Compared with patients with chronic viral hepatitis, the expression levels of α-SMA, TLR4 and sFgl2 in patients with acute and severe viral hepatitis increased (P<0.05). Compared with patients with acute viral hepatitis, the expression levels of α-SMA, TLR4 and sFgl2 in patients with severe viral hepatitis increased (P<0.05). There were positive correlations among α-SMA, TLR4 and sFgl2. Conclusions α-SMA, TLR4 and sFgl2 were highly expressed in patients with viral hepatitis. Severe viral hepatitis had the highest expression levels among all patients. There were positive correlations among α-SMA, TLR4 and sFgl2, which played important roles in the pathogenesis of viral hepatitis. Key words: Viral hepatitis; Toll-like receptor 4; Alpha-smooth muscle actin; Soluble Fgl2