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Prekallikrein behaviour in chronic active hepatitis and in cirrhotic patients

C Cordova, A Musca, F Violi

    Haemostasis
    |January 1, 1984
    PubMed

    Insights

    In chronic active hepatitis and liver cirrhosis, prekallikrein (Prekk), antithrombin III (ATIII), and plasminogen levels are significantly decreased. Prekk may serve as a reliable indicator of protein liver failure.

    Area of Science:

    • Hepatology
    • Clinical Biochemistry
    • Coagulation Science

    Background:

    • Chronic active hepatitis and liver cirrhosis are associated with complex pathophysiological changes.
    • Coagulation factor levels can be altered in liver disease, impacting disease prognosis and management.

    Purpose of the Study:

    • To evaluate prekallikrein (Prekk), antithrombin III (ATIII), plasminogen, and alpha 2-antiplasmin levels in patients with chronic active hepatitis and liver cirrhosis.
    • To correlate these protein levels with Normotest, a measure of overall blood coagulation function.
    • To determine if Prekk is a reliable index for protein liver failure.

    Main Methods:

    • Quantitative measurement of Prekk, ATIII, plasminogen, and alpha 2-antiplasmin in patient serum.
    • Correlation analysis between protein levels and Normotest values.
    • Subgroup analysis of cirrhotic patients into compensated and decompensated states.

    Main Results:

    • Prekk, ATIII, and plasminogen were significantly decreased in both chronic active hepatitis and liver cirrhosis groups compared to controls.
    • Alpha 2-antiplasmin levels were not significantly different in chronic active hepatitis but were significantly decreased in liver cirrhosis.
    • Prekk, ATIII, and plasminogen correlated significantly with Normotest in both disease groups. In decompensated cirrhosis, only Prekk showed a significant correlation with Normotest.

    Conclusions:

    • Significant reductions in Prekk, ATIII, and plasminogen are characteristic of chronic active hepatitis and liver cirrhosis.
    • Alpha 2-antiplasmin is also reduced in liver cirrhosis, but not in chronic active hepatitis.
    • Prekallikrein (Prekk) emerges as a potential reliable biomarker for assessing protein liver failure, particularly in decompensated states.

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