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Soluble intercellular adhesion molecule-1 in serum in chronic hepatitis B and C
N Horiike1, M Onji, I Kumamoto
1Third Department of Internal Medicine, Ehime University School of Medicine, Japan.
Insights
Serum soluble intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (sICAM-1) levels are elevated in chronic hepatitis B and C patients. Higher sICAM-1 indicates greater hepatitis activity, suggesting its use as a marker for disease progression.
Area of Science:
- Hepatology
- Immunology
- Biochemistry
Background:
- Intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) is present on hepatocytes in chronic hepatitis B and C.
- Soluble ICAM-1 (sICAM-1) is a marker of inflammation and cellular activation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the relationship between serum sICAM-1 levels and the activity of chronic hepatitis B and C.
- To determine if serum sICAM-1 can serve as a biomarker for hepatitis activity.
Main Methods:
- Serum sICAM-1 levels were measured using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).
- Fifty-one patients with chronic hepatitis (22 B, 29 C) and 10 healthy controls were studied.
- Results were correlated with hepatitis activity markers like serum glutamic-pyruvic transaminase (SGPT).
Main Results:
- Serum sICAM-1 levels were significantly higher in patients with chronic hepatitis B and C compared to controls (P < 0.01).
- Elevated sICAM-1 levels correlated with higher SGPT levels (P < 0.01).
- Patients experiencing exacerbations showed significantly higher sICAM-1 than those in remission (P < 0.05).
Conclusions:
- Serum sICAM-1 levels reflect the degree of activity in chronic hepatitis B and C.
- sICAM-1 may serve as a valuable non-invasive biomarker for monitoring hepatitis activity.
- No correlation was found between serum sICAM-1 and hepatocyte ICAM-1 expression.
Abstract:
Intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) is expressed on the hepatocyte membrane in patients with chronic hepatitis B and C. We assayed levels of the soluble form of this molecule (sICAM-1) in serum by an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay method; we then analyzed the results in relation to hepatitis activity. Fifty-one patients with chronic hepatitis (22 with type B and 29 with type C) and 10 normal controls were examined. The serum levels of sICAM-1 in hepatitis B and C were significantly higher (P < 0.01) than in normal controls. The serum level of sICAM-1 was correlated with serum glutamic-pyruvic transaminase level (P < 0.01), and the level of sICAM-1 in patients in whom exacerbation was seen was significantly higher (P < 0.05) than that in patients in a remission. There was no relationship between the serum level of sICAM-1 and the degree of ICAM-1 expression on the hepatocyte membrane. These results suggest that the serum level of sICAM-1 reflects the degree of activity of chronic hepatitis B and C.