The immunoreactivity of TGF-b1 in non-alcoholic fatty liver disease

Abstract

Introduction. Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a common chronic liver disease which becomes a rapidly growing health problem in the Western countries. The development of the disease is most often connected to obesity. NAFLD is also considered as the hepatic manifestation of metabolic syndrome. Transforming growth factor b1 (TGF-b1) plays an important role in the pathogenesis of liver fibrosis, being involved in activation of hepatic stellate cells, stimulation of collagen gene transcription, and suppression of matrix metalloproteinase expression. The objective of the study was to evaluate by immunohistochemistry the expression of TGF-b1 in the liver tissue of NAFLD patients and correlate it with anthropometric, biochemical and routine histological parameters. Material and methods. The study group consisted of 48 patients with diagnosed NAFLD. Liver steatosis, NAFLD Activity Score (NAS) and METAVIR score of fibrosis were evaluated in liver biopsies. The immunoreactivity of TGF-b1 was evaluated semi-quantitatively separately in portal, septal, lobular hepatocytic and lobular sinusoidal liver compartments. The results were analyzed in regard to patients' clinical and biochemical parameters. Results. Neither steatosis nor NAS correlated with TGF-b1 expression in any liver compartment, whereas METAVIR score of fibrosis was associated with increased immunoreactivity of TGF-b1 in most of the studied liver compartments. TGF-b1 immunoreactivity showed positive correlation with patients' age and its expression in septal compartment disclosed positive correlation with body mass index, and waist and hip circumference. Hyaluronic acid serum level was positively and iron concentration was negatively associated with TGF-b1 expression in the selected consecutive liver compartments. Conclusions. The immunohistochemical expression of TGF-b1 may be complementary to routine methods of liver fibrosis evaluation.

Transforming growth factor beta 1. Biological role and clinical significance

“…Other organs are also affected by TGF beta 1. TGF beta 1 affects changes in the structure of the liver, so the use of immunohistochemical diagnostics of the degree of TGF beta 1 expression is proposed to assess the degree of liver fibrosis [22].…”

Effect of Candesartan and Ramipril on Liver Fibrosis in Patients with Chronic Hepatitis C Viral Infection: A Randomized Controlled Prospective Study

“…This reported correlation is compatible with some previous findings demonstrated that serum level of HA was positively associated with both serum TFG-β1 and TGF-β1 expression in the selected consecutive liver compartments. 46 , 47 In addition, the expression of TGF-β1 was reported to be closely associated to liver fibrosis and evaluation of serum TGF-β1 levels may contribute to the diagnosis of liver fibrosis. 48 We reported also the existence of positive significant correlation between serum HA and liver stiffness, a result seems in accordance with the findings of other authors who reported that serum HA levels are related to stage of fibrosis and degree of necroinflammation.…”