Serum ceruloplasmin can predict liver fibrosis in hepatitis B virus-infected patients
WORLD JOURNAL OF GASTROENTEROLOGY
Authors: Kang, Na-Ling; Zhang, Jie-Min; Lin, Meng-Xin; Chen, Xu-Dong; Huang, Zu-Xiong; Zhu, Yue-Yong; Liu, Yu-Rui; Zeng, Da-Wu
Abstract
BACKGROUND The presence of significant liver fibrosis in hepatitis B virus (HBV)-infected individuals with persistently normal serum alanine aminotransferase (PNALT) levels is a strong indicator for initiating antiviral therapy. Serum ceruloplasmin (CP) is negatively correlated with liver fibrosis in HBV-infected individuals. AIM To examine the potential value of serum CP and develop a noninvasive index including CP to assess significant fibrosis among HBV-infected individuals with PNALT. METHODS Two hundred and seventy-five HBV-infected individuals with PNALT were retrospectively evaluated. The association between CP and fibrotic stages was statistically analyzed. A predictive index including CP [Ceruloplasmin hepatitis B virus (CPHBV)] was constructed to predict significant fibrosis and compared to previously reported models. RESULTS Serum CP had an inverse correlation with liver fibrosis (r= -0.600). Using CP, the areas under the curves (AUCs) to predict significant fibrosis, advanced fibrosis, and cirrhosis were 0.774, 0.812, and 0.853, respectively. The CPHBV model was developed using CP, platelets (PLT), and HBsAg levels to predict significant fibrosis. The AUCs of this model to predict significant fibrosis, advanced fibrosis, and cirrhosis were 0.842, 0.920, and 0.904, respectively. CPHBV was superior to previous models like the aspartate aminotransferase (AST)-to-PLT ratio index, Fibrosis-4 score, gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase-to-PLT ratio, Forn's score, and S-index in predicting significant fibrosis in HBV-infected individuals with PNALT. CONCLUSION CPHBV could accurately predict liver fibrosis in HBV-infected individuals with PNALT. Therefore, CPHBV can be a valuable tool for antiviral treatment decisions.
Comparison of the Effects of Low-Molecular-Weight Heparin and Fondaparinux on Liver Function in Patients With Pulmonary Embolism
JOURNAL OF CLINICAL PHARMACOLOGY
Authors: Yang, Xu; Li, Nan; Guo, Tingting; Guan, Xiaoyuan; Tan, Jiangshan; Gao, Xin; Wu, Yan; Jia, Lei; Gu, Min; Hua, Lu; Liu, Hong
Abstract
Hepatotoxicity with low-molecular-weight heparin (LMWH) or fondaparinux is a relatively common adverse reaction. This study assessed the effects of LMWH and fondaparinux on liver function in patients with pulmonary embolism based on a retrospective cohort. As a result, a total of 463 patients with pulmonary embolism and treated with LMWH (enoxaparin sodium or nadroparin calcium) or fondaparinux sodium were included. Liver dysfunction was identified in 79 patients (17.1%), of whom 97.5% had grade 1 drug-induced liver injury (DILI) and 2.5% had grade 2 DILI. The results showed that liver dysfunction usually occurred in the first week after anticoagulant administration, and the liver tests of all patients with liver dysfunction gradually recovered or alleviated at discharge. The multivariable logistic regression analysis indicated that a longer treatment course and hepatitis B surface antigen-positive (HBsAg+) were risk factors for liver dysfunction (P< .05). Moreover, nadroparin calcium had the highest risk of liver dysfunction, approximately 2.2 times (95% confidence interval [CI], 1.1740-4.224;P= .015) that of enoxaparin sodium. In conclusion, nearly one-fifth and 10% of patients prescribed with LMWH or fondaparinux, respectively, for pulmonary embolism had liver dysfunction, mainly with mild liver injury and characterized by self-limited elevated serum transaminase levels. Hence, during the 3 anticoagulant applications, we should pay more attention to the monitoring of liver function in the first week and transit to oral anticoagulants if possible, especially for patients who are HBsAg+ or suffering from other liver diseases.