Alanine aminotransferase is more sensitive to the decrease in hepatitis B virus-DNA load than other liver markers in...

Area of Science:

• Hepatology
• Virology
• Biochemistry

Background:

• The relationship between hepatitis B virus DNA (HBV-DNA) levels and liver markers in chronic hepatitis B (CHB) patients is not fully understood.
• The impact of HBV-DNA fluctuations on liver enzyme levels requires further investigation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the association between a reduction in HBV-DNA and changes in liver markers in CHB patients.
• To determine if significant decreases in HBV-DNA influence liver enzyme levels longitudinally.

Main Methods:

• 171 CHB patients with a 1-log reduction in HBV-DNA between two hospital visits were selected as cases.
• 158 CHB patients with no significant HBV-DNA change served as controls.
• Longitudinal analysis compared liver markers (ALT, AST, GGT) between the two visits for both groups.

Main Results:

• No significant cross-sectional correlation was found between HBV-DNA and liver markers.
• In the case group, significant decreases in ALT, AST, and GGT were observed longitudinally (P<.05).
• A >26-fold decrease in HBV-DNA correlated with a ≥50% reduction in ALT; similar trends were seen for AST and GGT.

Conclusions:

• Substantial reductions in HBV-DNA can lead to significant variations in liver markers among CHB patients.
• Alanine aminotransferase (ALT) appears to be a more sensitive indicator than AST or GGT for tracking HBV-DNA reduction effects.