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Diagnostic Value of Hepatic Mast Cell Concentration (MCC) in NAFLD and NASH Severity and Fibrosis Grade
Mahshid Panahi1, Nasser Rakhshani1,2, Alireza Sarhaddi3
1Department of Pathology, School of Medicine, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
Background & Objective:
Mast cells play a role in the immune responses to fatty liver disease. The present study aimed to investigate the diagnostic value of hepatic mast cell concentration (MCC) in NAFLD and NASH severity and fibrosis grade.
Methods:
The present cross-sectional unremarkable hepatic histology, NAFLD, or NASH cases were enrolled. Demographic variables, BMI, hepatic stiffness assessed using fibroscan, portal inflammation, hepatic disease grade assessed using the NAFLD Activity Score (NAS), and hepatic fibrosis severity assessed using the NASH fibrosis stage, hepatic necrosis severity, and hepatic steatosis severity of the patients were collected. The hepatic specimens underwent immunohistochemical (IHC) staining.
Results:
Of a total of 92 patients with a mean age of 38.7±13.3 years, 56 (60.9%) were males. There were significant relationships between the NAS score of the patients and hepatic steatosis. Moreover, the NASH fibrosis stage had significant relationships with the variables of hepatic necrosis, steatosis, and stiffness. There were significant positive correlations between the mast cell concentration (MCC) in all zones of the hepatic tissue (zone 1, zone 2, zone 3, portal area, and total) and the variables of age, BMI, and hepatic necrosis, steatosis, and stiffness. The patients with a higher NASH fibrosis stage showed a significantly higher MCC in all zones of the hepatic tissue.
Conclusion:
Hepatic mast cell number may have a significant impact on the grade and fibrosis in NAFLD. However, it is recommended to perform further studies with larger sample sizes on patients with various etiologies for hepatic injury to confirm the present study results.
Insights
Hepatic mast cell concentration (MCC) correlates with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) severity and fibrosis. Higher MCC indicates more severe liver disease, suggesting its diagnostic potential.
Area of Science:
- Hepatology
- Immunology
- Pathology
Background:
- Mast cells are implicated in immune responses to fatty liver disease.
- Investigating hepatic mast cell concentration (MCC) for diagnostic value in NAFLD and NASH is crucial.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the diagnostic utility of hepatic mast cell concentration (MCC) in grading non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) severity and fibrosis.
Main Methods:
- Cross-sectional study of 92 patients with NAFLD/NASH.
- Collected demographic data, BMI, hepatic stiffness, inflammation, NAS score, and fibrosis stage.
- Utilized immunohistochemical staining for hepatic mast cell concentration (MCC) analysis.
Main Results:
- Hepatic mast cell concentration (MCC) positively correlated with age, BMI, hepatic necrosis, steatosis, and stiffness.
- Higher NASH fibrosis stage was associated with significantly increased MCC in all hepatic tissue zones.
- Significant relationships observed between NAS score and hepatic steatosis, and NASH fibrosis stage with necrosis, steatosis, and stiffness.
Conclusions:
- Hepatic mast cell number may significantly impact NAFLD grade and fibrosis.
- Further research with larger, diverse patient cohorts is recommended to validate these findings.
