Four Markers in Serum for Diagnosis of Liver Fibrosis in Patients With Liver Diseases

Objective: Our purpose was to study the significance of serum hyaluronic acid (HA) , precollagen Ⅲ N-terminal peptide, laminin, and type Ⅳ collagen for diagnosis of liver fibrosis in patients with various types of hepatitis and liver cirrhosis. Methods: Hyaluronic acid, procollagen Ⅲ N-terminal peptide, laminin, and type Ⅳ collagen were detected in serum of 94 patients with various types of liver diseases by ELISA. Data were analyzed statistically. Results: The levels of four markers in the groups of moderate, serious chronic hepatitis and liver cirrhosis were higher than that of the normal level. The differences were remarkable compared with the control group ( P 0. 01). The average positive rates of four markers increased gradually with the condition getting more serious , the difference were obvious between the groups ( P 0.05 or P 0. 01). The level and positive rate of hyaluronic acid were all the highest in serious chronic hepatitis and cirrhosis group. Conclusion: These four markers may reflect the state of liver fibrosis in different liver diseases. Hyaluronic acid may be a useful marker for diagnosis of liver cirrhosis.