Plasma myeloperoxidase activity and apolipoprotein A-1 expression in chronic hepatitis B patients

Hepatitis B virus initiates a complicated cascade process leading to chronic hepatitis B, cirrhosis, and hepatocellular carcinoma. In inflammatory situations, myeloperoxidase is released in plasma and binds to apolipoprotein A-1 in high-density lipoproteins. This study aims to evaluate the level of plasma myeloperoxidase as well as the pattern of plasma proteins in patients with chronic hepatitis B.

Included in this study were 30 male subjects: 19 chronic hepatitis B patients, 6 HBV-related cirrhotic patients, and 5 healthy controls. Plasma myeloperoxidase was measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Proteomic analysis of plasma proteins was performed by two-dimensional gel electrophoresis (2-DE) and mass spectrometry. One way ANOVA was used for data analysis.

Mean plasma myeloperoxidase levels were higher in patients with liver cirrhosis (65.5±12.5; P=0.007) and chronic hepatitis B (53.7±10.6; P=0.18) when compared with healthy subjects (45±7.6). Moreover, a positive correlation was found between plasma myeloperoxidase levels and hepatic fibrosis stage (r=0.53, P=0.002; r=0.63, P=0.000). Proteomic analysis showed an altered plasma protein pattern in progressive hepatitis B and down-regulation of the major apolipoprotein A-1 along with the appearance of a variety of spots noted to be apolipoprotein A-1isoforms with different molecular masses.

In this study, progressive liver injury due to HBV infection correlated with higher plasma myeloperoxidase and an altered plasma apolipoprotein A-1pattern.