Indicators Of Liver Cell Damage Research Articles

Serum aspartate aminotransferase, a novel potential biomarker of prognosis in extranodal natural killer/T cell lymphoma, nasal type.

Aspartate aminotransferase (AST), an indicator of liver cell damage, was related to the prognosis of certain malignant tumors. This study examined the predictive value of AST in patients with extranodal natural killer/T cell lymphoma (ENKTL). We reviewed 183 cases diagnosed with ENKTL and selected 26 U/L as the optimum cut-off value of AST. We used the univariate and multivariate Cox regression to compare the different AST groups' overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS). Prior to propensity score matching (PSM), Kaplan-Meier analysis showed that patients in the low AST subgroup had better OS and PFS than the high AST subgroup. Multivariate analysis revealed that AST was an independent indicator for prognosis. After PSM, the low AST subgroup maintained a significantly better OS and PFS than the high AST subgroup. AST might represent a significant prognostic marker for ENKTL patients.

Association between Asia–Pacific body mass index classification and serum liver enzymes: alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase and gamma-glutamyl transferase in healthy individuals

BackgroundElevated levels of serum liver transaminases are good indicators of liver cell damage, and elevated serum gamma-glutamyl transferase (GGT) level is a good indicator of both bile duct and hepatocellular damage. At early stages, elevated serum levels of these liver enzymes can be mostly prevailed as an asymptomatic condition and therefore in an undiagnosed state. This may be resulted in a number of complications and may lead to chronic hepatic damage that will be more severe and difficult to care. Serum liver enzyme levels are affected by age, gender, body mass index (BMI), ethnicity, drugs and viruses. Obesity has been an epidemic in nearly every country in the world. BMI is the best parameter to assess the magnitude of obesity. Having this background, the present study was designed to investigate the correlation between the levels of serum liver enzymes alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and GGT and Asia–Pacific cut-off points of BMI in healthy individuals.MethodsA descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted using 120 Sinhala, Buddhist subjects which belonged to 18–32 years. BMI was calculated according to the standard protocol. The serum ALT and AST concentrations were measured by UV assay according to the IFCC method without pyridoxal phosphate activation, and the serum GGT concentration was measured by UV assay according to Szasz method, using the Mindray BS-240 Full Automatic Biochemistry Analyser.ResultsSerum levels of liver enzymes were significantly higher in males than females. In females, serum levels of ALT (r = 0.312, p < 0.001), AST (r = 0.138, p = 0.071) and GGT (r = 0.212, p = 0.047) positively correlated with BMI. In males too, serum levels of ALT (r = 0.431, p < 0.001), AST (r = 0.324, p = 0.013) and GGT (r = 0.314, p = 0.031) were positively correlated with BMI. The minimum values of serum ALT, AST and GGT levels were observed in underweight group, while the maximum values were observed in obese group in both genders.ConclusionsALT had the strongest correlation with BMI in both females and males. Therefore, ALT can be suggested as the best liver enzyme that can be used in screening purposes by concerning BMI.

A Novel Mouse Model of Combined Hyperlipidemia Associated With Steatosis and Liver Injury by a Single-Dose Intragastric Administration of Schisandrin B/Cholesterol/Bile Salts Mixture

Hyperlipidemia is referred to as hypercholesterolemia, hypertriglyceridemia, or both in combined hyperlipidemia. Here, a novel mouse model of combined hyperlipidemia is described. Mice were orally given a single dose of a modeling agent (MA) made of a mixture of schisandrin B/cholesterol/bile salts (1/2/0.5 g/kg) suspended in olive oil. MA treatment increased serum triglycerides (TG) and total cholesterol (TC) (up to 422% and 100% at 12 – 96 h post-treatment, respectively) and hepatic TG and TC (up to 220% and 26%, respectively) in a time- and dose-dependent manner, associated with elevation of high-density lipoprotein and low-density lipoprotein levels. Serum alanine/aspartate aminotransferase activities, indicators of liver cell damage, were also elevated (up to 198%) at 48 and 72 h post-MA treatment. Fenofibrate blocks MA-induced hyperlipidemia, lipid accumulation in the liver, as well as liver injury. Oral administration of a mixture of schisandrin B, cholesterol, and bile salt could generate an interesting mouse model of combined hyperlipidemia associated with hepatic steatosis and steatohepatitis.

건강한 남자 대학생에서 민들레즙 보충이 알코올에 의한 산화적 스트레스 및 숙취에 미치는 효과

This study was designed to investigate the effect of dandelion juice supplementation on attenuation of oxidative stress and hangover after drinking alcohol in healthy college male students. This human trial was conducted by two phase cross over design with two weeks wash out period. The subjects (age 24~28 years) were volunteers who had more than 72 g of ethanol drinking capacity. Dandelion group was given dandelion juice 220 mL daily for 7 days. Biochemical markers were determined in blood samples taken at 0 and 150 minutes after administration 72 g of alcohol. The levels of plasma glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase, glutamic pyruvic transaminase, lactate dehydrogenase and bilirubin, the indicators of liver cell damage, were not significantly different between groups. No significant differences in lymphocyte DNA damage level between groups was observed. However, plasma acetaldehyde dehydrogenase (ALDH) and high density lipoprotein cholesterol levels were significantly (p＜0.01) increased in dandelion supplemented group compared to that of control group. Furthermore, activities and protein expressions of glutathione-reductase and catalase of erythrocytes were significantly elevated in dandelion supplemented group compared to that of control group. From the above results, it is concluded that dandelion juice supplementation can reduce oxidative stress and hangover syndrome through the elevation of ALDH and antioxidative enzyme system in healthy male adults.

Taurolithocholic Acid Exerts Cholestatic Effects via Phosphatidylinositol 3-Kinase-dependent Mechanisms in Perfused Rat Livers and Rat Hepatocyte Couplets

Taurolithocholic acid (TLCA) is a potent cholestatic agent. Our recent work suggested that TLCA impairs hepatobiliary exocytosis, insertion of transport proteins into apical hepatocyte membranes, and bile flow by protein kinase Cepsilon (PKCepsilon)-dependent mechanisms. Products of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinases (PI3K) stimulate PKCepsilon. We studied the role of PI3K for TLCA-induced cholestasis in isolated perfused rat liver (IPRL) and isolated rat hepatocyte couplets (IRHC). In IPRL, TLCA (10 micromol/liter) impaired bile flow by 51%, biliary secretion of horseradish peroxidase, a marker of vesicular exocytosis, by 46%, and the Mrp2 substrate, 2,4-dinitrophenyl-S-glutathione, by 95% and stimulated PI3K-dependent protein kinase B, a marker of PI3K activity, by 154% and PKCepsilon membrane binding by 23%. In IRHC, TLCA (2.5 micromol/liter) impaired canalicular secretion of the fluorescent bile acid, cholylglycylamido fluorescein, by 50%. The selective PI3K inhibitor, wortmannin (100 nmol/liter), and the anticholestatic bile acid tauroursodeoxycholic acid (TUDCA, 25 micromol/liter) independently and additively reversed the effects of TLCA on bile flow, exocytosis, organic anion secretion, PI3K-dependent protein kinase B activity, and PKCepsilon membrane binding in IPRL. Wortmannin also reversed impaired bile acid secretion in IRHC. These data strongly suggest that TLCA exerts cholestatic effects by PI3K- and PKCepsilon-dependent mechanisms that are reversed by tauroursodeoxycholic acid in a PI3K-independent way.

Highly purified chitosan reduce blood alcohol concentration, aspartate aminotransferase, and alanine aminotransferase levels in human

The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of supplementary highly purified chitosan (HPC) on blood alcohol concentration in healthy human. The human study was performed with two sections. Each section of the study was conducted by two-phase cross-over design with a week wash-out period. All volunteers took HPC in one phase, and took a placebo in the next phase. Blood alcohol concentrations were different between in those taking HPC and in those taking the placebo in the human. And the concentration of serum aspartate aminotransferase (AST, GOT) and alanine aminotransferase (ALT, GPT), the indicator of liver cell damage, was lowered in those taking HPC, compared to those taking the placebo. In conclusion, taking HPC prior to drinking alcohol can somewhat reduce alcohol concentration in human blood and liver cell damage.

Fasciola hepatica: effects on blood constituents and liver minerals in fallow deer (Dama dama).

Haematological and serum biochemical constituents as well as the liver mineral concentrations can be affected by Fasciola hepatica. The present study compares the blood and liver constituents in 19 fallow deer with fascioliosis and in 43 without it. Blood samples, gastro-intestinal tract, lungs and liver were taken from 62 male and female fallow deer that were shot, aged 6 months and over, in enclosures, between 1999 and 2001 in Slovenia. Samples were analysed and the means of various parameters of blood and liver were determined. Significant differences in blood were found in the mean cell volume, total serum proteins, sodium, and calcium; and in liver and calcium and copper were higher in animals without fascioliosis. Mean cell haemoglobin concentration, eosinophils, basophils, lymphocytes, monocytes, alanine aminotransferase, urea, glucose and copper in blood were significantly higher in animals with fascioliosis. It has been concluded that some of the values in fallow deer like in other domestic ruminants are the sensitive indicators of liver cell damage in fascioliosis.

Diagnostic enzyme profile in houbara bustard tissues (Chlamydotis undulata macqueenii)

We have reported tissue profiles of diagnostic enzymes in heart, liver, kidney, duodenum, pancreas, pectoral muscle and quadriceps muscle from houbara bustards (Chlamydotis undulata macqueenii). Enzymes studied included aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), gamma glutamyl transferase (GGT), alkaline phosphatase (ALKP), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) and creatine kinase (CK). The data from our studies suggest that the tissue enzymes which are commonly used as clinical diagnostic tools in other species may also be used to evaluate tissue integrity in houbara bustards. However, although tissue enzyme patterns in the bustard showed some similarities compared with other avian species, there were also important differences. GGT and ALKP activities were predominantly present in the bustard kidney. CK appeared to be a sensitive indicator of muscle cell damage in the bustard. Although ALT, LDH and AST appeared to be sensitive indicators of liver cell damage, they were non-specific for this organ, and consequently no enzyme studied was a specific indicator of liver cell damage in the bustard.

Enzyme activities in tissues and elimination half‐lives of homologous muscle and liver enzymes in the racing pigeon(Columba Livia domestica)

Tissue enzyme profiles of heart, liver, pectoral muscle, quadriceps muscle, duodenum, kidney and brain from racing pigeons were established. The enzymes were alanine aminotransferase (ALAT), aspartate aminotransferase (ASAT), glutamate dehydrogenase (GLDH), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), gamma glutamyltransferase (y-GT), alkaline phosphatase (AP), and creatine kinase (CK). Elimination half-lives (tybeta) of certain enzymes were also determined. The mean values (+/- SD) were: ASAT, 7.66 +/- 1.55 (liver) and 6.51 +/- 0.83 (muscle); ALAT, 15.69 + 1.70 (liver) and 11.99 +/- 1.32 (muscle); LDH, 0.71 + 0.10 (liver) and 0.48 +/- 0.07 (muscle); GLDH, 0.68 +/- 0.17 (liver), CK 3.07 +/- 0.59 hours (muscle). GLDH is the most liver-specific enzyme in the pigeon, but increased activities in the plasma are likely only in the acute stage of severe liver cell damage, since this enzyme is localised within the mitochondria and has a short half life. LDH and ASAT seem to be the most sensitive indicators of liver cell damage, though contributions come from muscle damage. Muscle cell damage can be differentiated from liver cell damage by measuring plasma CK activity, since CK is both a specific and a sensitive indicator of muscle cell damage. In a clinical setting the combined use of LDH, ASAT and CK permits differentiation between liver and muscle cell damage in racing pigeons.

Changes in serum iron levels due to infection with hepatitis B virus

We found in two previous studies (Down syndrome patients and end-stage kidney patients receiving renal dialysis) that total serum iron is higher on average in carriers of the hepatitis B virus than in those who are not. The elevation of the serum iron is independent of elevations of serum L-alanine:2-oxoglutarate aminotransferase, EC 2.6.1.2) (SGPT), an indicator of liver cell damage. We have followed for 10 yr a large number of patients with end-stage renal disease receiving renal dialysis. In this paper we describe studies of serum iron and SGPT levels in patients (i) 1 mo before infection, (ii) after infection but within the month of infection, and (iii) 6-12 mo after infection. Comparisons of serum iron levels were made between those infected who retained the virus (carriers) and those who rejected the infection (transients). There were no differences between these groups before infection. Serum iron remained high in the carrier group and dropped in the transients. However, not all of the carriers retained high levels, although this was the case in general. Individual changes in the pre- and postconversion period were then considered. All carriers who had a preconversion decline in iron had an increase after infection, whereas this occurred in only some of the transients. Those carriers who had a decline after infection had raised levels before infection, and the decline was generally less than the increase. Consideration of the SGPT and the iron levels together led to the same conclusion as the previous studies, that elevation of iron may be independent of rise in SGPT. Several hypotheses were derived from these findings. Individuals who are carriers in general have higher iron levels and, therefore, are more likely to become infected with bacteria; this may contribute to increased morbidity and mortality. From experimental evidence, iron is required for the growth of tumor cells. Carriers with elevated iron levels may be more likely to develop detectable cancer of the liver than those who do not.

Chronic subclinical ovine fascioliasis: plasma glutamate dehydrogenase, gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase and aspartate aminotransferase activities and their significance as diagnostic aids

The effect of low grade chronic Fasciola hepatica infection on the concentration of plasma glutamate dehydrogenase (GD), gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase (gamma-GT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) was investigated in sheep dosed daily with three (AL3), eight (AL8) or 14 (AL14) metacercariae over 22 weeks or given a single dose of 200 metacercariae. Significant increases in plasma GD activity first occurred after nine, 12 and 23 weeks and in gamma-GT activity after 12, 24 and 32 weeks for groups AL14, AL8 and AL3 respectively. Changes in AST activity were not as clearly related to dose level. In sheep with single infection, both GD and gamma-GT were capable of detecting liver damage resulting from the migration of 10 or more flukes. Plasma GD and gamma-GT activities are more sensitive indicators of liver cell damage in chronic subclinical fascioliasis than AST activity and gamma-GT may be more suitable as a diagnostic aid on account of its greater stability.

Biochemical indicators of liver injury in calves with experimental fascioliasis.

Twenty calves were infected with 1000 metacercariae of Fasciola hepatica, the activities of 10 enzymes in plasma or serum were assayed and concentrations in serum of proteins, urea and bilirubin were determined. These values were compared with control data obtained from 14 uninfected calves. Aspartate aminotransferase, lactate dehydrogenase, sorbitol dehydrogenase, glutamate dehydrogenase, ornithine carbamoyl transferase and gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase activities increased in infected calves. Total serum protein increased, albumin decreased, globulin increased and the albumin/globulin ratio was decreased in infected calves. Plasma alanine aminotransferase, leucine aminopeptidase, alkaline phosphatase and cholinesterase activities and serum concentration of urea and bilirubin were unaffected. It was concluded that glutamate dehydrogenase and gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase were the most sensitive indicators of liver cell damage in fascioliasis.