Pattern of lecithin-cholesterol-acyl-transferase (L-CAT) activity in the course of liver cirrhosis

Considering liver cirrhosis a limit model, and therefore a condition suitable for the analysis of changes of lipid metabolism in liver disorders generally, the authors examined the L-CAT pattern, total and free cholesterol, HDL-cholesterol and APO-A in sixty-five subjects; fifty-three were suffering from liver cirrhosis, and were subdivided into those who were diabetic in addition, and those who were not, as well as according to the severity and duration of the liver disease; the remaining twelve were healthy controls. Analysis of the findings showed L-CAT to diminish significantly as the metabolic changes due to liver injury worsen. Contrary to the other parameters studied, L-CAT was the only one for which significant changes were found on analysis of variance comparing non-diabetic cirrhotics of varying severity. Further comparison suggested the idea that the reduction of L-CAT activity was correlated to the rate of progression of the disease rather than to the temporary condition of compensation or decompensation, so much so as to suggest itself as a valid parameter for the prognosis of liver cirrhosis.