Increased serum tissue polypeptide specific antigen (TPS) in alcoholics: Apossible marker of alcoholic hepatitis

Background: Serum tissue polypeptide specific antigen (TPS) is widely used as a tumor proliferation marker. There is some evidence of an increase in s erum TPS in benign liver diseases. The aim of the study was to evaluate ser um TPS levels in alcoholics. Methods: Seventy-seven alcoholics (64 men and 13 women) admitted to the hos pital with ethanol withdrawal syndrome entered the study. Twenty-three pati ents were biopsied (12 of them had alcoholic hepatitis and 11 steatosis or fibrosteatosis). Serum TPS was determined by enzyme immunoassay in all case s. Results were compared with those of 24 healthy controls. Results: Serum TPS levels were significantly increased in alcoholic patient s compared with controls (median 365 units/liter and range 41-6400 units/li ter versus median 79 units/liter and range 19-235 units/liter, respectively , p < 0.0001). Seventeen alcoholics (22%) had a TPS value 10 times higher t han the upper normal threshold level (greater than or equal to 1000 units/l iter). Among alcoholics, serum TPS levels were higher in patients with alco holic hepatitis than in those with steatosis or fibrosteatosis (median 1486 units/liter and range 176-5022 units/liter versus median 106 units/liter a nd range 41-221 units/liter, respectively, p = 0.0001), offering a better d iscriminant value for the diagnosis of alcoholic hepatitis than usual liver function parameters. Serum TPS values showed significant correlation with liver cell necrosis and Mallory's hyaline degeneration. TPS values decrease d after alcohol abstinence during hospital admission. Conclusions: Serum TPS is frequently increased in alcoholics and may be a m arker of alcoholic hepatitis. Specificity of this molecule as a tumor marke r is limited in alcoholics.