Angiogenesis-related biomarkers in patients with alcoholic liver disease: their association with liver disease complications and outcome

Mediators Inflamm. 2014:2014:673032. doi: 10.1155/2014/673032. Epub 2014 May 18.

Abstract

Angiogenesis is believed to be implicated in the pathogenesis of alcoholic liver disease (ALD). We aimed to explore the usefulness and accuracy of plasma angiogenic biomarkers for noninvasive evaluation of the severity of liver failure and ALD outcome. One hundred and forty-seven patients with ALD were prospectively enrolled and assessed based on their (1) gender, (2) age, (3) severity of liver dysfunction according to the Child-Turcotte-Pugh and MELD scores, and (4) the presence of ALD complications. Plasma levels of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF-A) and angiopoietins 1 and 2 (Ang1 and Ang2) were investigated using ELISAs. Multivariable logistic regression was applied in order to select independent predictors of advanced liver dysfunction and the disease complications. Significantly higher concentrations of Ang2 and VEGF-A in ALD patients as compared to controls were found. There was no difference in Ang1 levels in both groups. A positive correlation of Ang2 levels with INR (Rho 0.66; P < 0.0001) and its inverse correlation with plasma albumin levels (Rho -0.62; P < 0.0001) were found. High Ang2 concentrations turned out to be an independent predictor of severe liver dysfunction, as well as hepatic encephalopathy and renal impairment. Ang2 possessed the highest diagnostic and prognostic potential among three studied angiogenesis-related molecules.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Angiopoietin-1 / blood*
  • Angiopoietin-2 / blood*
  • Area Under Curve
  • Biomarkers / blood*
  • Cohort Studies
  • Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Inflammation
  • Liver Diseases, Alcoholic / blood*
  • Liver Diseases, Alcoholic / complications
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Multivariate Analysis
  • Neovascularization, Pathologic*
  • Regression Analysis
  • Reproducibility of Results
  • Treatment Outcome
  • Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A / blood
  • Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A / metabolism

Substances

  • ANGPT1 protein, human
  • ANGPT2 protein, human
  • Angiopoietin-1
  • Angiopoietin-2
  • Biomarkers
  • VEGFA protein, human
  • Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A