Circulating intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) in patients with hepatolithiasis

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A Flow Adhesion Assay to Study Leucocyte Recruitment to Human Hepatic Sinusoidal Endothelium Under Conditions of Shear Stress
11:38

A Flow Adhesion Assay to Study Leucocyte Recruitment to Human Hepatic Sinusoidal Endothelium Under Conditions of Shear Stress

Published on: March 21, 2014

S M Sheen-Chen1, H L Eng, Y F Cheng

  • 1Department of Surgery, Pathology and Diagnostic Radiology, Chang Gung, Memorial Hospital, Koahsiung, Chang Gung Medical College, Taiwan.

Digestive Diseases and Sciences
|August 1, 1996
PubMed

Insights

Circulating intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) levels are elevated in hepatolithiasis patients, indicating its role in the disease. Levels decrease after stone removal but remain higher than in healthy individuals.

Area of Science:

  • Hepatobiliary Medicine
  • Immunology
  • Biochemistry

Background:

  • Hepatolithiasis, characterized by bile duct stones in the liver, is associated with significant morbidity.
  • The pathogenesis of hepatolithiasis involves complex interactions including inflammation, infection, and bile stasis.
  • Circulating intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (sICAM-1) is a marker of endothelial activation and inflammation.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the role of circulating intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (sICAM-1) in the pathogenesis of hepatolithiasis.
  • To compare sICAM-1 levels in patients with hepatolithiasis to healthy controls.
  • To assess changes in sICAM-1 levels following surgical clearance of bile duct stones.

Main Methods:

  • Serum sICAM-1 concentrations were measured using a sandwich enzyme immunoassay in 40 hepatolithiasis patients and 15 healthy controls.
  • Blood samples were collected before surgery and at least three months after stone clearance.
  • Bile cultures and detailed cholangiography reviews were performed to assess infection and intrahepatic strictures.

Main Results:

  • Pre-operative sICAM-1 levels were significantly higher in hepatolithiasis patients (834 +/- 128 ng/ml) compared to controls (346 +/- 68 ng/ml).
  • Post-treatment sICAM-1 levels decreased significantly (677 +/- 139 ng/ml) but remained elevated compared to controls.
  • All patients had bile infections, and 82.5% showed intrahepatic strictures on cholangiography.

Conclusions:

  • Elevated circulating intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (sICAM-1) is associated with hepatolithiasis, suggesting its involvement in the disease process.
  • While stone removal reduces sICAM-1 levels, persistent elevation indicates ongoing inflammatory processes.
  • Further research is warranted to fully elucidate the role of sICAM-1 in hepatolithiasis pathogenesis.

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