Serum Thrombopoietin Levels in Patients With Chronic Hepatitis and Liver Cirrhosis

Abstract

Serum thrombopoietin levels are elevated in patients with an early stage of chronic viral hepatitis. As the disease progresses from mild fibrosis to cirrhosis, decreased production of thrombopoietin may contribute to the further development of thrombocytopenia in cirrhosis.

Epidemiologic and Outcome Studies of Patients Who Received Platelet Transfusions in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit

“…2 -4,5,8,18 This theory is supported by the fact that the liver is the principal Tpo-producing organ in neonates and adults 17,22 and that Tpo mRNA expression is diminished in the liver of pediatric patients with cirrhosis and acute liver failure. 20 Similar to our observation in neonates, a recent analysis of risk factors for thrombocytopenia among adult intensive care patients showed a strong correlation between severe thrombocytopenia and liver function abnormalities. 23 The percentage of our patients who received platelet transfusions (2%) was lower than has been reported from other centers, such as Florida (9.4%, Sola et al) and Canada (7.4%, Andrews et al 19 ).…”

Modeling hepatic fibrosis in African American and Caucasian American patients with chronic hepatitis C virus infection†‡

“…These factors have been consistently found to be associated with advanced fibrosis. 23,26,[39][40][41][42][43][44][45] The Virahep-C model was significantly more accurate in predicting severe hepatic fibrosis than were several other published models including the APRI (Fig. 3).…”

Diagnosis and Quantitation of Fibrosis

“…With worsening fibrosis and increasing portal pressures, there is reduced thrombopoetin production and increased platelet sequestration in the spleen. 53,54 Advancing liver fibrosis is also associated with reduced clearance of AST. 55 The APRI test can thus potentially differentiate between those with and without significant fibrosis or cirrhosis.…”