Do serum ALAT values reflect the inflammatory activity in the liver of patients with chronic viral hepatitis?

Abstract

A retrospective study was carried out in 40 patients with chronic viral hepatitis, to assess whether serum alanine aminotransferase reflects the inflammatory process in the liver. Twenty liver biopsy specimens were included for each disease. Five histological aspects were scored: periportal inflammation, lobular inflammation, ballooning, Councilman bodies and lymphocyte follicles. Logarithmic values of alanine aminotransferase were correlated with each aspect using the Spearman correlation coefficient. For the hepatitis B cohort a statistical significant correlation was found between alanine aminotransferase and periportal inflammation (p=0.0001), lobular inflammation (p=0.0002) and Councilman bodies/area (p=0.003). In the hepatitis C study population alanine aminotransferase correlates with both periportal inflammation (p=0.007) and lymphocyte follicles/Area (p=0.02). In conclusion, these results suggest that alanine aminotransferase can be used as an indicator of inflammatory activity. A prospective study is needed, to further analyze the use of alanine aminotransferase, as a monitor of disease activity in patients with chronic viral hepatitis.

Seroepidemiology of hepatitis B virus infection among children in Mongolia: Results of a nationwide survey

“…27,30 Thus, measuring the aminotransferase levels remains the most common and convenient way to determine liver infl ammation in patients with chronic HBV infection, but the relationship may be better established by serial observations rather than by a single examination of aminotransferase levels. 31,32 In accordance with previous reports, 10,22,33,34 boys were more likely to have chronic infection in comparison to girls, in the present study. The reason for the sex difference remains unclear.…”

“…HBV infection and particularly the presence of HBeAg have been associated with increased serum aminotransferase levels 27,30 . Thus, measuring the aminotransferase levels remains the most common and convenient way to determine liver inflammation in patients with chronic HBV infection, but the relationship may be better established by serial observations rather than by a single examination of aminotransferase levels 31,32 …”

Correlation of biochemical markers and HCV RNA titers with fibrosis stages and grades in chronic HCV-3a patients

“…Zechini et al [25] suggested that the serum AST level was associated with liver damage. Cahen et al [46] also indicated a significant correlation between serum ALT levels and inflammatory grades in patients with CHC. Our findings are in agreement with the findings reported by Liu et al [45] who reported that the ALT level was significantly related to the inflammatory grade.…”

Phosphorylated Smad2 and Smad3 signaling: Shifting between tumor suppression and fibro‐carcinogenesis in chronic hepatitis C

“…Fibrotic stage, platelet count and hepatocytic positivity for phospho‐R‐Smads at 1 year after SVR are estimated on these yearly changes. We also used plasma ALT as a biochemical indicator of inflammatory activity in chronic liver disease …”