[Usefulness of determining the blood protein synthesis index in the evaluation of liver damage]

The purpose of report was the presentation of the variability range of the plasma protein synthesis index (PSI) in dependence on the chronic character of the liver parenchyma lesion in man or the extent of parallel indices of PSI with other biochemical parameters usually determined in the diagnostics of the liver parenchyma diseases. The studies have been performed in 20 patients with viral hepatitis (VH ), 20 patients with balanced liver cirrhosis (BLC), 20 patients with unbalanced liver cirrhosis and in 43 healthy volunteers. The PSI, total protein, albumin, gamma-globulin, bilirubin, prothrombin index and the alanine aminotransferase and the choline esterase activity has been determined. The most important lowering of the PSI values has been observed in patients with BLC. In those with VH the prolonged depression of the protein synthesis may indicate the chronic character of the inflammatory process. The extent of correlation of PSI with other parameters was statistically not significant.

1. PSI is a result of the liver lesion and its values are lowest in patients with MWN. 2. The WSB value does not depend on the age of subjects studied. 3. The diagnostic usefulness of WSB for evaluation of the liver parenchyma lesion is greater than of the albumin, choline esterase or prothrombin index determination. 4. The WSB determination is of value in the complex evaluation of the liver function in patients with lesions of that organ.