IS SERUM HYALURONAN A HELPFUL TOOL IN THE MANAGEMENT OF PATIENTS WITHLIVER-DISEASES

The results of serial determinations of serum hyaluronan indicate a pr ognostic value in progressive liver damage. In primary biliary cirrhos is and in cirrhotic alcoholic liver diseases serum hyaluronan level di scriminates between early and advanced disease. In alcoholic liver dis ease serum hyaluronan can be applied as assessment of haemodynamic cha nges. Serum hyaluronan is of use as a non-invasive index of liver fibr osis in chronic viral hepatitis. A reversible defect in the hyaluronan receptor of the hepatic endothelial cells was suggested following stu dies on paracetamol-induced acute liver damage. In liver transplantati on, graft function can be predicted by determination of the venous eff luent of hyaluronan.