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Updated: Sep 8, 2026
Human Liver Microphysiological System for Assessing Drug-Induced Liver Toxicity In Vitro
Published on: January 31, 2022
A serum Golgi Protein 73 (GP73)-based model for evaluating inflammation associated with drug-induced liver injury
Yamei Wei1, Mingjie Yao2, Mei Zhang3
1Tianshui Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Qinzhou District, Tianshui, Gansu, China; Department of Preventive Medicine, School of Medicine, Shihezi University, Shihezi, Xinjiang, China.
Objective:
To evaluate the diagnostic utility of serum Golgi Protein-73 (GP73) in staging hepatic inflammatory activity and evaluating fibrosis in patients with Drug-Induced Liver Injury (DILI).
Methods:
A retrospective analysis was conducted on 130 patients with DILI who underwent liver biopsy. Patients were categorized according to inflammation grade (G0∼G1: n = 49, G2∼G3: n = 62, G4: n = 19) and fibrosis stages (S0∼S1: n = 24, S2∼S3: n = 45, S4: n = 14). Correlations between GP73 levels and markers of liver inflammation, fibrosis, and biochemical indicators were examined. Logistic regression and ROC curves evaluated diagnostic precision.
Results:
Serum GP73 levels exhibited a positive correlation with liver injury markers such as ALT, AST, TBIL, ALP, HA, PC-III, and APRI (p < 0.05), while demonstrating a negative correlation with ALB, CHE, PA, and FIB (p < 0.05). GP73 and ALB were recognized as independent risk factors for hepatic inflammation (p < 0.05). The integrated diagnostic efficacy of GP73 and ALB for moderate (G ≥ 2) and severe inflammation (G ≥ 3) produced AUCs of 0.860 and 0.945, respectively, surpassing those of ALT and AST (AUCs: 0.679, 0.716 and 0.762, 0.805, respectively). When ALT levels were normal, the combined AUCs of GP73 and ALB for diagnosing moderate (G ≥ 2) and severe inflammation (G ≥ 3) were 0.853 and 0.987, respectively. Furthermore, GP73 was identified as an independent predictor of fibrosis (p < 0.05), exhibiting AUCs of 0.707 and 0.856 for moderate and severe fibrosis, respectively, indicating enhanced diagnostic efficacy relative to FIB-4 and APRI.
Conclusion:
GP73 is significantly increased in the serum of patients experiencing drug-induced liver injury. GP73, whether utilized independently or alongside other diagnostic methods, exhibits significant potential for evaluating liver inflammation and fibrosis. Its efficacy in diagnosing liver inflammation exceeds its utility for fibrosis, potentially reducing the necessity for liver biopsy procedures.
