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Albumin and collagen gene regulation in alcohol- and virus-induced human liver disease
G Annoni1, F R Weiner, M Colombo
1Department of Medicine, Roger Williams General Hospital, Brown University, Providence, Rhode Island.
Gastroenterology
|January 1, 1990
Summary
Alcoholic liver disease involves hypoalbuminemia and fibrosis. This study found alcohol abusers had similar albumin messenger RNA levels to controls, but higher than viral hepatitis patients, with increased collagen messenger RNA in all patients.
Area of Science:
- Hepatology
- Molecular Biology
- Gastroenterology
Background:
- Chronic alcoholic liver disease is characterized by hypoalbuminemia and fibrosis.
- The underlying molecular mechanisms remain controversial.
- This study investigates albumin and collagen gene expression in alcoholic and viral liver disease.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare albumin and pro alpha 1(I) collagen messenger RNA levels in alcohol abusers versus patients with virus-induced liver disease.
- To elucidate the role of gene expression in the pathogenesis of alcoholic liver disease.
- To investigate the molecular basis of hypoalbuminemia and fibrosis in liver disease.
Main Methods:
- Messenger RNA (mRNA) levels for albumin and pro alpha 1(I) collagen were quantified using Northern hybridization.
- Samples were obtained from liver biopsies of 30 patients (14 alcohol abusers, 16 with viral infection) and 2 normal controls.
- Patients were categorized based on histological diagnosis, including alcoholic hepatitis, cirrhosis, and chronic active hepatitis.
Main Results:
- Alcohol abusers showed albumin mRNA levels similar to controls, but significantly higher than patients with viral hepatitis.
- All patient groups exhibited markedly increased procollagen mRNA levels compared to controls.
- Fibrosis and inflammation did not correlate with decreased albumin mRNA in alcoholics.
Conclusions:
- Alcohol may increase albumin messenger RNA content in human livers, contrary to some hypotheses.
- Elevated procollagen mRNA levels suggest increased collagen synthesis contributes significantly to hepatic fibrosis pathogenesis.
- These findings offer insights into the molecular mechanisms of alcoholic liver disease and hepatic fibrosis.
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