Soluble E-cadherin as a serum biomarker in patients with HBV-related liver diseases

Abstract

ObjectiveSubstantial evidence indicates that serum sE-cadherin is a pivotal regulator that contributes to the initiation and development of various types of diseases. However, very little is known about the relationship between levels of serum sE-cadherin and HBV-related disorders. The overall goal of the study is to get a better insight into whether or not serum sE-cadherin is involved in HBV-related diseases. Design and methodsSerum levels of sE-cadherin and IFN-γ, from 113 patients with chronic hepatitis B, 101 patients with HBV-related cirrhosis, 75 patients with hepatocellular carcinoma and 125 healthy individuals were measured with commercial available sandwich ELISA kits. ResultssE-cadherin values were significantly higher in patients compared to healthy control (p<0.0001). The levels of serum sE-cadherin were significantly positively correlated with the serum levels of IFN-γ, alanine transaminase and aspartate aminotransferase in chronic hepatitis B and cirrhosis patients. In hepatocellular carcinoma patients, serum sE-cadherin concentrations were only significantly positively correlated with the serum levels of ALT and AST. ConclusionsSerum sE-cadherin levels maybe an important indicator of the pathogenesis of progression of HBV-related disorders.