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Published on: August 1, 2018
Hyperhomocysteinemia and hypercoagulability in primary biliary cirrhosis
Maria Rosa Biagini1, Alessandro Tozzi, Rossella Marcucci
1Gastroenterology Unit, Department of Clinical Pathophysiology, University of Florence, Viale Morgagni 85 50134, Firenze, Italy.
World Journal of Gastroenterology
|March 30, 2006
Summary
Primary biliary cholangitis (PBC) patients exhibit hypercoagulability linked to elevated homocysteine (HCY) and tissue factor (TF). This suggests a role for these factors in blood clotting activation in PBC.
Area of Science:
- Hematology
- Biochemistry
- Genetics
Background:
- Primary biliary cholangitis (PBC) is a chronic liver disease with potential implications for hemostasis.
- Understanding hypercoagulability in PBC is crucial for managing thrombotic risks.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate hypercoagulability in PBC patients.
- To assess the relationship between hypercoagulability, homocysteine (HCY), and hemostatic factors.
Main Methods:
- Compared 51 PBC patients with 102 healthy controls using Sonoclot analysis and PFA-100.
- Measured plasma levels of HCY, tissue factor (TF), thrombin-antithrombin complexes (TAT), D-dimer, thrombomodulin, folic acid, and vitamins B6/B12.
- Analyzed C677T 5,10-methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) gene polymorphism.
Main Results:
- PBC patients showed significantly higher Sonoclot RATE values (P<0.001), indicating hypercoagulability.
- Elevated fasting and post-methionine loading HCY, TF, and TAT levels were observed in PBC patients (P<0.001).
- Vitamin deficiencies (88.2%) and a higher prevalence of the TT677 MTHFR genotype (31.4%) were found in PBC patients.
Conclusions:
- Hyperhomocysteinemia (hyper-HCY) in PBC is associated with hypovitaminosis and genetic factors.
- Increased TF and HCY levels, along with signs of endothelial activation, contribute to hypercoagulability in PBC.
- These factors play a significant role in blood clotting activation in PBC.
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