Abstract
Background/aimHepatitis B virus (HBV) infection is the leading cause of liver fibrosis (LF). The prognosis and management of patients with chronic hepatitis B virus depend on the amount and progression of liver fibrosis. Angiopoietin-like protein 2 (Angptl2) is not only a chronic inflammatory mediator, but also a tissue-remodeling factor. The aim of this study is to explore the predictive value of Angptl2 in different fibrosis stages in patients chronically infected with HBV. Materials and methods Eighty patients with chronic HBV infection undergoing Fibroscan were included. Serum concentrations of Angptl2 were detected using a commercial ELISA kit.Results Angptl2 levels were significantly associated with liver fibrosis stages (P = 0.02). The area under the curve (AUC) of Angptl2 for distinguishing patients who showed significant fibrosis (F2–F4) was70.2%. Angptl2 with fibrosis-4 (FIB-4) and Angptl2 with AST/platelets ratio (APRI) performed best with an AUC of 92.5%. ConclusionIn patients with chronic HBV infection, Angptl2 level represents a potential biomarker independently associated with fibrosis stages. The combination of Angptl2 with FIB-4 or Angptl2 with APRI performed better than the existing models for diagnosing significant fibrosis.
Highlights
Chronic hepatitis B (CHB) is defined as chronic necroinflammatory disease
Angiopoietin-like protein 2 (Angptl2) levels were significantly associated with liver fibrosis stages (P = 0.02)
In patients with chronic Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection, Angptl2 level represents a potential biomarker independently associated with fibrosis stages
Summary
Chronic hepatitis B (CHB) is defined as chronic necroinflammatory disease. It is the 10th leading cause of death in the world [1]. Typical wound healing for chronic liver diseases is defined by an increase in the expression of some cytokines, growth factors, and metalloproteinases with proangiogenic action [4]. Imbalance in cytokine production plays a key role in the development of liver damage, necroinflammation, and subsequent fibrosis [11]. Angiopoietin-like protein 2 (Angptl2) is a glycoprotein [13] belonging to the angiopoietin-like family [14]. It is secreted by hepatocytes [15]. The systemic inflammation is the obvious link between an increase in circulating levels of Angptl and
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