SIGNIFICANCE OF SERUM TISSUE INHIBITOR OF METALLOPROTEINASES-1 IN VARIOUS LIVER-DISEASES

Background/Aims: This study was performed to assess the significance o f elevated serum tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinases-1 concentratio n in various liver diseases. Methods: Tissue inhibitor of metalloprote inases-1 levels were measured in patients with various liver diseases, and were compared with serum type III procollagen-N-peptide (P III P) , type IV collagen and laminin P-1 levels, as well as with the histolo gy of liver biopsy specimens. Results: Mean tissue inhibitor of metall oproteinases-1 levels were significantly higher in subjects with acute viral hepatitis, cirrhosis, alcoholic hepatitis, and alcoholic cirrho sis than in the control group (p<0.05). Serum tissue inhibitor of meta lloproteinases-1 levels in the various liver diseases showed positive correlation with serum type IV collagen, P III P, and laminin P-1 leve ls. Regarding the relationship between tissue inhibitor of metalloprot einases-1 and liver histology, serum tissue inhibitor of metalloprotei nases-1 levels correlated with the degree of hepatic fibrosis and infl ammation, such as focal necrosis and cell infiltration. Furthermore, e levated serum tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinases-l levels were esp ecially related to the cell infiltration, focal necrosis, portal fibro sis, and serum type TV collagen level. Conclusions: These findings sug gest that the measurement of the serum tissue inhibitor of metalloprot einases-1 level in various liver diseases may be useful to estimate th e active hepatic fibrogenesis associated with the active inflammatory stage of the liver injury.