Plasminogen and plasminogen proactivator in liver diseases

Area of Science:

• Biochemistry
• Hepatology
• Clinical Diagnostics

Background:

• Liver diseases impact various physiological functions, necessitating accurate diagnostic markers.
• Current liver function tests (LFTs) have limitations in reflecting disease severity and stage.
• Fibrinolytic system components like plasminogen (PLg) and plasminogen proactivator (PPLg) are implicated in liver health.

Purpose of the Study:

• To prospectively evaluate the behavior of plasminogen (PLg) and plasminogen proactivator (PPLg) in patients with liver diseases and jaundice.
• To compare PLg and PPLg activity with established liver enzyme parameters (ALAT, LAP, G-GT, bilirubin) and Quick time.
• To assess the potential of PLg and PPLg as supplementary liver function tests.

Main Methods:

• Prospective study involving 1047 subjects: 748 with liver diseases/jaundice, 52 with tumors, and 247 healthy controls.
• Measurement of plasminogen (PLg) and plasminogen proactivator (PPLg) activity.
• Analysis of standard liver function tests: ALAT, LAP, G-GT, bilirubin, and Quick time.

Main Results:

• Significantly reduced PLg and PPLg activity observed in patients with parenchymal liver diseases, correlating with disease severity and stage.
• Obstructive jaundice cases typically showed normal or rarely increased fibrinolytic enzyme activity.
• Elevated ALAT, LAP, G-GT, and bilirubin were common in viral hepatitis and obstructive jaundice; Quick time was less affected in acute conditions.

Conclusions:

• Plasminogen (PLg) and plasminogen proactivator (PPLg) activity are sensitive indicators of parenchymal liver disease progression.
• PLg and PPLg demonstrate potential as valuable additions to existing liver function tests.
• These fibrinolytic markers may offer complementary diagnostic information for liver disease assessment.