Published online Feb 14, 2007. doi: 10.3748/wjg.v13.i6.837
Revised: December 1, 2006
Accepted: December 19, 2006
Published online: February 14, 2007
AIM: To investigate whether serum levels of two soluble forms of extracellular cytokeratin 18 (M30-antigen and M65-antigen) may differentiate nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) from simple steatosis in patients with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD).
METHODS: A total of 83 patients with suspected NAFLD and 49 healthy volunteers were investigated. Patients with suspected NAFLD were classified according to their liver histology into four groups: definitive NASH (n = 45), borderline NASH (n = 24), simple fatty liver (n = 9), and normal tissue (n = 5). Serum levels of caspase-3 generated cytokeratin-18 fragments (M30-antigen) and total cytokeratin-18 (M65-antigen) were determined by ELISA.
RESULTS: Levels of M30-antigen and M65-antigen were significantly higher in patients with definitive NASH compared to the other groups. An abnormal value (> 121.60 IU/L) of M30-antigen yielded a 60.0% sensitivity and a 97.4% specificity for the diagnosis of NASH. Sensitivity and specificity of an abnormal M65-antigen level (> 243.82 IU/L) for the diagnosis of NASH were 68.9% and 81.6%, respectively. Among patients with NAFLD, M30-antigen and M65-antigen levels distinguished between advanced fibrosis and early-stage fibrosis with a sensitivity of 64.7% and 70.6%, and a specificity of 77.3% and 71.2%, respectively.
CONCLUSION: Serum levels of M30-antigen and M65-antigen may be of clinical usefulness to identify patients with NASH. Further studies are mandatory to better assess the role of these apoptonecrotic biomarkers in NAFLD pathophysiology.
- Citation: Yilmaz Y, Dolar E, Ulukaya E, Akgoz S, Keskin M, Kiyici M, Aker S, Yilmaztepe A, Gurel S, Gulten M, Nak SG. Soluble forms of extracellular cytokeratin 18 may differentiate simple steatosis from nonalcoholic steatohepatitis. World J Gastroenterol 2007; 13(6): 837-844
- URL: https://www.wjgnet.com/1007-9327/full/v13/i6/837.htm
- DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.3748/wjg.v13.i6.837
Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a common condition comprising a wide spectrum of liver damage associated with metabolic disorders, including central obesity, dyslipidemia, hypertension, and hyperglycemia. The spectrum of disease is variable, ranging from simple steatosis with benign prognosis, to nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), advanced fibrosis and cirrhosis, conferring increase in morbidity and mortality[1,2].
NASH could be present in one third of NAFLD cases and appears to have a higher likelihood of progression to cirrhosis. Furthermore, an increased risk of hepatocellular carcinoma and end-stage liver disease has been reported among patients with NASH[3,4]. It follows that early recognition of subjects with NASH is crucial to prevent the development of severer forms of liver disease and improve the clinical outcome. Differentiation of simple steatosis from NASH requires histopathologic evaluation[5]. In this regard, liver biopsy remains the most sensitive and specific means of providing important diagnostic and prognostic information[6,7]. Nonetheless, given that liver biopsy is an expensive procedure, with occasional complications and poor patient acceptance[8-11], the search for surrogate markers to replace liver biopsy is highly recommended.
A growing body of evidence has recently suggested that dysregulation of hepatocyte apoptosis could play an important role in the progression of NAFLD to NASH[12-14]. During apoptosis, a number of intracellular proteins are cleaved by caspases. A neoepitope in cytokeratin 18 (CK18), termed M30-antigen, becomes available at an early caspase cleavage event during apoptosis and is not detectable in vital or necrotic cells[15-18]. A monoclonal antibody, M30, specifically recognizes a fragment of CK18 cleaved at Asp396 (M30-antigen)[19]. By contrast, the cytosolic pool of uncleaved CK18 (also termed M65-antigen) is released from cells during necrosis[19]. These findings implicate that assessments of different forms of CK18 in patient sera (M30-antigen for apoptosis and M65-antigen for necrosis) could be used to examine different cell death modes in vivo. Two robust immunoassays are currently available to measure the levels of M30-antigen and M65-antigen[20-22].
In this study, we have measured different forms of CK18 (M30-antigen and M65-antigen) in serum from NAFLD patients as an approach for differentiating simple steatosis from NASH. Specifically, we wanted to establish a reliable diagnostic model by using these non-invasive biomarkers.
Between November 2005 and October 2006, we enrolled a total of 83 patients (38 females and 45 males, age range: 25-76 years) with suspected NAFLD. By the ATP III Expert Panel of the U.S. National Cholesterol Education Program criteria[23], approximately one third of participants had the metabolic syndrome. Patients with viral hepatitis, hemochromatosis, Wilson’s disease, autoimmune hepatitis, primary biliary cirrhosis, sclerosing cholangitis, biliary obstruction, alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency, or malignancies were excluded from the present study. None of the subjects was using any medications, including estrogens, amiodarone, steroids, tamoxifen, or herbal supplements. Furthermore we excluded patients with daily alcohol intake exceeding 20 g/d or previous abdominal surgery. For control purposes, 49 healthy age- and gender-matched volunteers were recruited. All controls were judged to be in good health, with normal results on liver function tests and confirmed as having normal liver by ultrasound. Subjects with a consumption of alcohol > 20 g/d or who were taking any medication were not included in the control group.
A written informed consent was obtained from all participants. The study protocol was reviewed and approved by the Ethics Committee of the Uludag University Medical School.
All subjects underwent physical examination, anthropometric measurements and biochemical screening. Liver ultrasound (US) scanning was performed to assess the degree of steatosis. All US procedures were performed by the same operator. Liver steatosis was assessed semiquantitatively on a scale of 0 to 3: 0, absent; 1, mild; 2, moderate; and 3, severe. Computed tomography (CT) evaluation of liver parenchyma was performed in all NAFLD patients. An experienced pathologist examined liver histology according to the NIDDK NASH Clinical Research Network scoring system[24]. Patients with suspected NAFLD were classified according to their liver histology into four groups: definitive NASH (n = 45), borderline NASH (n = 24), simple fatty liver (n = 9), and normal tissue (n = 5). In a secondary analysis, patients with borderline NASH, simple fatty liver, and normal tissue were grouped together and analyzed as a single group which is named as no-NASH.
Ultrasonography-guided liver biopsies were performed under conscious sedation using a 16-gauge Klatskin needle. The length of histological specimens was not smaller than 2.5 cm. All biopsy specimens were placed in formalin solution for fixation and embedded in paraffin blocks. Serial sections (sectioned at 4 μm intervals) were stained with hematoxylin-eosin, Masson’s trichrome. An experienced pathologist blinded to clinical data scored the liver biopsies according to the NIDDK NASH Clinical Research Network scoring system[24]. Steatosis was scored from 0 to 3 with a four grades scoring system from S0 to S3: S0: no steatosis or less than 5%, S1: 5%-33%, S2: 33%-66%, S3: > 66%. Lobular inflammation was graded as follows: stage 0, no foci; stage 1: < 2 foci per 200 × field; stage 2: 2-4 foci per 200 × field; stage 3: > 4 foci per 200× field. Fibrosis was staged as follows: stage 0: no fibrosis; stage 1: perisinusoidal or periportal fibrosis with 3 different patterns: 1A: mild, zone 3, perisinusoidal; 1B: moderate, zone 3, perisinusoidal fibrosis, and 1C portal/periportal fibrosis; stage 2: perisinusoidal and portal/periportal fibrosis; stage 3: bridging fibrosis; stage 4: cirrhosis. The histological NASH score was defined as the unweighted sum of the scores for steatosis (0-3), lobular inflammation (0-3), and ballooning (0-2); thus ranging from 0 to 8. Cases with scores of 0 to 2 were considered as having simple steatosis; on the other hand, cases with scores of 5 or greater were diagnosed as definitive NASH[24]. Cases with activity scores of 3 and 4 were considered as borderline (probable) NASH.
Blood samples were centrifuged at 2500 g for 10 min, and serum aliquots were stored at -80°C until immediately before analysis. All samples were analyzed in duplicate and in a blinded fashion. Serum levels of M30-antigen and M65-antigen were determined by commercially available immunoassays (M30-Apoptosense ELISA kit and M65 ELISA kit, Peviva AB, Bromma, Sweden) according to the manufacturer’s instructions. The M65-ELISA assay measures native soluble CK18 (M65-antigen), whereas the M30-Apoptosense ELISA kit measures the levels of the CK18-Asp396 neo-epitope (M30-antigen). Briefly, samples were placed into wells coated with a mouse monoclonal antibody as a catcher. After washing, a horseradish peroxidase conjugated antibody (M30 or M65) was used for detection. Reference concentrations of M30-antigen or M65-antigen were used to prepare assay calibration. The absorbance was determined with an ELISA reader at 450 nm.
Variables are presented as counts and percentages or means ± SD, unless otherwise indicated. Pearson’s χ2 test was used for comparison of categorical variables. Between group mean differences were tested by the Mann-Whitney U test or the Kruskal-Wallis test, as appropriate. The sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, and negative predictive value of the serum biomarkers in predicting definitive NASH were calculated using receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analyses. Diagnostic properties were expressed as percentages, with 95% confidence intervals (95% CIs). Cut-off values for serum biomarkers were determined using the MedCalc demo statistical software (Mariakerke, Belgium). Univariate (simple) and multivariate (forward stepwise) regression models were used to assess the independent predictors of definitive NASH in patients with suspected NAFLD. A P < 0.05 was retained for statistical significance. All computations were made using SPSS 10.0 (SPSS Inc., Chicago, IL, USA).
The control (n = 49) and NAFLD (n = 83) groups were well balanced for age and gender (data not shown). Table 1 shows the clinical and biochemical characteristics of the NAFLD patients stratified by their liver histology into four groups: definitive NASH (n = 45), borderline NASH (n = 24), simple fatty liver (n = 9), and normal tissue (n = 5).
| Characteristic | Entire cohort(n = 83) | Definitive NASH(n = 45) | Borderline NASH(n = 24) | Simple steatosis(n = 9) | Normal tissue(n = 5) |
| Male gender | 54.2% | 62.2% | 50.0% | 44.4% | 20.0% |
| Age (yr) | 48.9 ± 9.1 | 47.8 ± 8.8 | 48.7 ± 6.2 | 53.1 ± 10.1 | 52.4 ± 19.2 |
| Body mass index (kg/m2) | 30.3 ± 4.8 | 30.2 ± 4.1 | 31.1 ± 6.5 | 29.5 ± 3.7 | 28.0 ± 3.0 |
| Waist circumference (cm) | 99 ± 9 | 101 ± 8 | 100 ± 9 | 94 ± 10 | 93 ± 11 |
| Waist/hip ratio | 0.93 (0.01-1.08) | 0.95 (0.09-1.08) | 0.93 (0.09-1.02) | 0.8 (0.74-1.05) | 0.86 (0.01-0.87) |
| Hypertension | 33.7% | 28.9% | 50% | 22.2% | 20% |
| Systolic blood pressure (mmHg) | 122 ± 13 | 124 ± 13 | 121 ± 13 | 121 ± 16 | 115 ± 11 |
| Diastolic blood pressure (mmHg) | 77 ± 10 | 80 ± 9 | 76 ± 11 | 71 ± 10 | 72 ± 9 |
| Diabetes mellitus | 14.5% | 13.3% | 16.7% | 22.2% | 0% |
| Fasting glucose (mg/dL) | 103 ± 22 | 102 ± 21 | 105 ± 25 | 109 ± 25 | 93 ± 7 |
| Fasting insulin (μU/mL)1 | 24 (1-298) | 34 (3-298) | 21 (1-281) | 20 (1-110) | 11 (1-16) |
| HOMA index | 3.0 (0.2-16.5) | 3.1 (0.3-16.5) | 2.9 (0.3-8.1) | 2.6 (0.2-4.9) | 2.3 (1.6-3.8) |
| Hyperlipidemia history | 83.1% | 80.0% | 91.7% | 77.8% | 80% |
| Total cholesterol (mg/dL) | 213 ± 40 | 213 ± 44 | 224 ± 31 | 190 ± 27 | 199 ± 49 |
| Triglycerides (mg/dL)1 | 149 (38-424) | 151 (38-424) | 164 (90-398) | 102 (49-286) | 149 (44-182) |
| Metabolic syndrome | 34.9% | 37.8% | 33.3% | 33.3% | 20.0% |
| Lp(a) (mg/dL)1 | 10 (2-157) | 9 (2-98) | 20 (2-157) | 6 (2-68) | 19 (5-32) |
| Microalbuminuria (μg/mL)1 | 1.0 (0.2-48.4) | 4.2 (0.2-48.4) | 0.7 (0.2-3.8) | 0.65 (0.3-8.9) | 0.4 (0.2-1.0) |
| AST (IU/L)1 | 42 (16-102) | 44 (18-95) | 33 (16-102) | 32 (17-65) | 28 (19-91) |
| ALT (IU/L)1 | 60 (10-184) | 68 (23-184) | 47 (12-146) | 47 (19-84) | 35 (10-149) |
| AST/ALT ratio | 0.68 (0.34-1.90) | 0.65 (0.34-0.95) | 0.71 (0.45-1.42) | 0.77 (0.59-1.21) | 0.8 (0.6-1.9) |
| ALP (UI/L)1 | 82 (19-154) | 84 (44-152) | 85 (43-132) | 94 (19-154) | 76 (61-131) |
| GGT (UI/L)1 | 47 (15-526) | 52 (16-526) | 29 (15-199) | 65 (22-164) | 73 (17-124) |
| LDH (UI/L)1 | 196 (132-379) | 198 (143-375) | 193 (132-295) | 184 (163-379) | 171 (152-340) |
| Total Bilirubin (mg/dL)1 | 0.7 (0.1-2.5) | 0.7 (0.1-2.5) | 0.6 (0.1-1.7) | 0.5 (0.1-0.8) | 0.8 (0.4-2.1) |
| HbA1c | 5.6 (4.6-9.9)% | 5.7 (4.7-9.9)% | 5.5 (4.6-7.7)% | 5.6 (5.1-7.4)% | 5.5 (5.4-6.2)% |
| Transferrin saturation | 19 (2-48)% | 20 (2-48)% | 17 (5-29)% | 23.5 (11-44)% | 18 (8-28)% |
| Ferritin (ng/mL)1 | 77 (6-406) | 93 (6-399) | 69 (12-297) | 96 (10-406) | 23 (9-61) |
| Positive ANA | 21.6% | 23.9% | 20.8% | 0% | 40.0% |
| Positive AMA | 1.2% | 2.1% | 0% | 0% | 0% |
| Positive ASMA | 7.2% | 4.3% | 4.4% | 0% | 20.0% |
| Positive LKM-1 | 0% | 0% | 0% | 0% | 0% |
There was a statistically significant difference in microalbuminuria (P < 0.05), ALT levels (P < 0.05) and AST/ALT ratio (P < 0.05) between the four groups. By contrast, there were no statistically significant differences between the groups in age, gender, BMI, waist circumference, history of hypertension, hyperlipidemia, diabetes, or prevalence of the metabolic syndrome. Values of alkaline phosphatase, gamma-glutamyl transferase, lactic acid dehydrogenase, ferritin, and homeostasis model assessment-estimated insulin resistance (HOMA) were not significantly different across the four patient groups. 27% of patients with suspected NAFLD had positive serological testing for autoantibodies.
The histological features of patients with suspected NAFLD are presented in Table 2. Of 83 subjects, 5 had normal biopsies with < 5% steatosis. Nine subjects had steatosis alone. In the present study, 24 patients with suspected NAFLD had histological borderline NASH. Criteria for definitive NASH, as proposed by the NASH Clinical Research Network[24], were fulfilled by 45 patients. Among patients with definitive NASH, liver biopsy showed that steatosis was mild in 13.3%, moderate in 46.7%, and severe in 40.0%. Lobular inflammation and ballooning were present in all biopsy specimens from definitive NASH patients in varying amounts. 77% of definitive NASH patients exhibited fibrosis. No liver biopsy demonstrated cirrhosis.
| Variable | Definition | Score | Entire cohort(n = 83) (%) | Definitive NASH(n = 45) (%) | Borderline NASH(n = 24) (%) | Simple steatosis(n = 9) (%) | Normal tissue(n = 5) (%) |
| Steatosis | < 5% | 0 | 8.40 | 0 | 8.30 | 0 | 100 |
| 5%-33% | 1 | 39.80 | 13.30 | 75.00 | 100 | 0 | |
| > 33%-66% | 2 | 30.10 | 46.70 | 16.70 | 0 | 0 | |
| > 66% | 3 | 21.70 | 40.00 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| Lobular inflammation (foci per 200 × field) | No foci | 0 | 15.70 | 0 | 0 | 88.90 | 100 |
| < 2 foci | 1 | 26.50 | 8.90 | 70.80 | 11.10 | 0 | |
| 2-4 foci | 2 | 43.40 | 64.40 | 29.20 | 0 | 0 | |
| > 4 foci | 3 | 14.50 | 26.70 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| Ballooning | None | 0 | 12 | 0 | 0 | 55.60 | 100 |
| Few balloon cells | 1 | 24.10 | 6.70 | 70.90 | 44.40 | 0 | |
| Many cells/prominent ballooning | 2 | 63.90 | 93.30 | 29.10 | 0 | 0 | |
| Fibrosis stage | None | 0 | 54.20 | 33.30 | 66.70 | 100 | 100 |
| Mild, zone 3, perisinusoidal | 1A | 8.40 | 11.10 | 8.30 | 0 | 0 | |
| Moderate, zone 3, perisinusoidal | 1B | 3.60 | 6.70 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| Portal/periportal | 1C | 13.30 | 15.60 | 16.60 | 0 | 0 | |
| Perisinusoidal and portal/periportal | 2 | 13.30 | 22.20 | 4.20 | 0 | 0 | |
| Bridging fibrosis | 3 | 7.20 | 11.10 | 4.20 | 0 | 0 | |
| Cirrhosis | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Ultrasound and CT findings are summarized in Table 3. Among the 83 subjects with suspected NAFLD, ultrasonographic examination revealed mild steatosis in 44%, moderate steatosis in 40% and severe steatosis in 16% of cases. By CT scans, the mean (SD) absolute liver density value of the entire study cohort was 43.8 ± 14.6 Hounsfield units (HU).
| Steatosis | Entire cohort(n = 83) | Definitive NASH(n = 45) | Borderline NASH(n = 24) | Simple steatosis(n = 9) | Normal tissue(n = 5) | |
| Sonographic grade of hepatosteatosis | Mild | 44.00% | 27.50% | 50.00% | 77.80% | 100.00% |
| Moderate | 40.00% | 55% | 31.80% | 11.10% | 0% | |
| Severe | 16.00% | 17.50% | 18.20% | 11.10% | 0% | |
| Liver attenuation on CT (HU) | 43.8 ± 14.6 | 36.9 ± 11.9 | 49.5 ± 15.1 | 55.2 ± 6.2 | 64.1 ± 3.3 |
As shown in Table 4, the serum levels of M-30 antigen were markedly higher in the definitive NASH group than in the control (P < 0.001), simple fatty liver (P < 0.01) and borderline NASH (P < 0.001) groups. Serum levels of M-30 antigen did not differ between patients with definitive NASH and subjects with normal biopsy.
| Biomarker | Definitive NASH(n = 45) | Borderline NASH(n = 24) | Simple steatosis(n = 9) | Normal tissue(n = 5) | Healthy volunteers(n = 49) | No-NASH(n = 38) | 1P |
| M30-antigen (IU/L) | 200.4 ± 183.1 | 69.8 ± 37.1 | 60.1 ± 36.8 | 81.0 ± 17.5 | 43.3 ± 45.9 | 69.0 ± 34.9 | < 0.001 |
| 2P | Reference category | < 0.001 | < 0.01 | NS | < 0.001 | < 0.001 | |
| M65-antigen (IU/L) | 362.8 ± 178.7 | 210.6 ± 59.6 | 215.3 ± 78.2 | 207.0 ± 47.4 | 150.9 ± 44.1 | 211.2 ± 61.5 | < 0.001 |
| 2P | Reference category | < 0.001 | < 0.01 | < 0.05 | < 0.001 | < 0.001 |
Serum concentrations of M-65 antigen were higher in the patients with definitive NASH than in those with borderline NASH (P < 0.001), simple fatty liver (P < 0.01), normal tissue (P < 0.05), or in healthy individuals (P < 0.001). Serum levels of both biomarkers did not differ between the possible NASH, simple steatosis, and normal biopsy groups compared with the control group.
Subjects with possible NASH, simple fatty liver, or normal tissue were then grouped together (no-NASH group, n = 38) for a secondary analysis. The results of this analysis showed that the serum levels of both biomarkers were markedly higher in the definitive NASH group than in the no-NASH group (P < 0.001 for both biomarkers).
Table 5 lists the sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, and negative predictive value of the M30-antigen and the M65-antigen in predicting definitive NASH. In addition, the area under the ROC curve (ROC AUC) for both biomarkers was determined. The ROC AUC provides a measure of the overall discriminative ability of a test. In general, ROC AUC ≥ 7 indicates acceptable discrimination, ROC AUC ≥ 8 excellent discrimination and ROC AUC ≥ 9 outstanding discrimination (very unusual). As shown in Table 5, both biomarkers revealed good discriminative ability for predicting definitive NASH. Notably, M30-antigen and M65-antigen gave similar diagnostic abilities.
| Patientcategory | Serumbiomarker | Cut-off value1(IU/L) | Sensitivity(95% CI) | Specificity(95% CI) | Positive predictivevalue (%) | Negative predictivevalue (%) | Negativelikelihood ratio | Area under theROC curve (95% CI) |
| Borderline NASH | M30-antigen | 121.6 | 60 (44.3-74.3) | 95.8 (78.8-99.3) | 96.40 | 56.10 | 0.42 | 0.783 (0.668-0.783) |
| M65-antigen | 241.34 | 68.9 (53.3-81.8) | 83.3 (62.6-95.2) | 88.60 | 58.80 | 0.37 | 0.809 (0.697-0.894) | |
| Simple steatosis | M30-antigen | 109.64 | 62.2 (46.5-76.2) | 100 (66.2-100.0) | 100.00 | 34.60 | 0.38 | 0.83 (0.703-0.918) |
| M65-antigen | 186.77 | 93.3 (81.7-98.5) | 66.7 (30.1-92.1) | 93.30 | 66.70 | 0.10 | 0.807 (0.677-0.902) | |
| Normal tissue | M30-antigen | 96.5 | 64.4 (48.8-78.1) | 100 (48.0-100.0) | 100.00 | 23.80 | 0.36 | 0.724 (0.508-0.841) |
| M65-antigen | 227.18 | 73.3 (58.1-85.4) | 80 (28.8-96.7) | 97.10 | 25.00 | 0.33 | 0.809 (0.673-0.906) | |
| Healthy controls | M30-antigen | 82.52 | 75.6 (60.5-87.1) | 85.7 (72.7-94.0) | 82.90 | 79.20 | 0.29 | 0.881 (0.798-0.938) |
| M65-antigen | 189.64 | 91.4 (77.6-98.6) | 68.1 (36.1-94.2) | 92.00 | 68.20 | 0.18 | 0.94 (0.839-0.980) | |
| No-NASH | M30-antigen | 121.6 | 60 (44.3-74.3) | 97.4 (86.1-99.6) | 96.40 | 67.30 | 0.41 | 0.787 (0.683-0.869) |
| M65-antigen | 243.82 | 68.9 (53.3-81.8) | 81.6 (65.7-92.2) | 81.60 | 68.90 | 0.38 | 0.809 (0.708-0.887) |
Table 6 shows the sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, and negative predictive value of M30-antigen and M65-antigen in differentiating early liver fibrosis from advanced fibrosis. Serum levels of both M30-antigen (P < 0.01) and M65-antigen (P < 0.01) were higher in patients with advanced fibrosis compared to those with early fibrosis. Both biomarkers appeared to have similar diagnostic ability.
| Cut-off value1(IU/L) | Sensitivity(95% CI) (%) | Specificity(95% CI) (%) | Positive predictivevalue (%) | Negative predictivevalue (%) | Negativelikelihood ratio | Area under thecurve (95% CI) | |
| M30-antigen | 121.6 | 64.7 (38.4-85.7) | 77.3 (65.3-86.7) | 42.30 | 89.50 | 0.46 | 0.733 (0.624-0.824) |
| M65-antigen | 243.82 | 70.6 (44.1-89.6) | 71.2 (58.7-81.7) | 38.70 | 90.40 | 0.41 | 0.742 (0.635-0.832) |
We found a weak, albeit significant, positive correlation between M30-antigen levels with both AST (r = 0.441, P < 0.001) and ALT values (r = 0.425, P < 0.001). Similarly, concentrations of M65-antigen were positively related to both AST (r = 0.490, P < 0.001) and ALT (r = 0.473, P < 0.001).
To assess the independent contribution of M30-antigen, M60-antigen as well as CT findings in identifying subjects with definitive NASH, simple and multiple linear regression analyses were performed (Table 7). Simple regression analysis showed that AST/ALT ratio, microalbuminuria, waist/hip ratio, CT density as well as levels of M30-antigen and M-65 antigen were all significantly associated with the presence of definitive NASH (data not shown). Variables associated with definitive NASH on univariate analysis were then entered into a multivariate model. The model showed that the addition of M-30 antigen to computed tomography yielded a 86.1% sensitivity and a 83.3% specificity for NASH. Similarly, the addition of M-60 antigen to computed tomography yielded a 83.3% sensitivity and a 83.3% specificity for NASH.
| P | Odds ratio | 95% CI | Sensitivity(%) | Specificity(%) | Positive predictivevalue (%) | Negative predictivevalue (%) | Accuracy(%) | ||
| Combination | CT | 0.001 | 0.891 | 0.831-0.955 | 86.10 | 83.30 | 86.10 | 83.30 | 84.80 |
| M30-antigen | 0.002 | 1.029 | 1.011-1.048 | ||||||
| Combination | CT | 0.003 | 0.916 | 0.865-0.971 | 83.30 | 83.30 | 85.70 | 86.60 | 83.30 |
| M65-antigen | 0.003 | 1.015 | 1.005-1.025 |
The results of our study show that different forms of CK18 in patient sera (M30-antigen and M65-antigen) may be of clinical usefulness in discriminating NASH from simple fatty liver or NAFLD patients with severe fibrosis from subjects with early fibrosis.
NAFLD is increasingly recognized as one of the most common causes of liver disease worldwide[25,26]. In this regard, in view of the epidemic of the metabolic syndrome, the prevalence of NAFLD is expected to continue to increase in future years[25]. A liver biopsy remains the gold standard for the evaluation of liver histology and is therefore a key test used to establish the diagnosis of NAFLD[1]. Unfortunately, it is an invasive procedure associated with discomfort and some risk[8,9]. It is therefore not suitable for the evaluation of all individuals with suspected NAFLD. The limitations of a liver biopsy have led to considerable interest and attempts to diagnose this condition with laboratory tests and imaging modalities.
Although simple fatty liver has been considered a benign disease, NASH appears to be a common cause of cryptogenic cirrhosis and may even result in hepatocellular carcinoma[26-28]. To date, the pathophysiological pathways involved in liver damage and in the progression of pure fatty liver to NASH remain largely unknown. Currently, the most accepted theory to explain the pathogenesis of NAFLD is the so-called “two-hit” hypothesis[29]. According to this model, the development of hepatic steatosis constitutes the first hit, and cellular events leading to hepatic inflammation constitute the second hit.
Experimental and clinical data have suggested a role for hepatocyte apoptosis in liver inflammation and tissue damage, regeneration of parenchyma, and fibrosis[30-33]. In this regard, a reduction in hepatocyte apoptosis has been shown to result in decreased liver fibrosis in animal models of cholestasis[32]. Of interest is also the observation that fibrosis has been suggested to rely on induction of hepatic stellate cells apoptosis[32]. In the clinical setting, Bantel et al[34] have previously shown that sera from patients with HCV infection had a markedly higher caspase activation than controls. In addition, measurements of caspase activity in serum were found to be related to the extent of steatosis or presence of fibrosis.
Recently, there has been a growing interest in measuring different CK18 forms in peripheral blood as a means to examine different cell death modes. Intriguingly, a recent report by Wieckowska et al[35] has shown that measurement of serum M30-antigen levels may allow discrimination of definitive NASH patients from simple fatty liver with high sensitivity and specificity. However, the sample size in this study was small, and no attempt was made to study the concentrations of M-30 antigen in patients with possible NASH.
Our present results confirm and expand previous findings[35] on the potential clinical usefulness of different forms of CK18 (M30-antigen and M65-antigen) as biochemical assays to accurately distinguish definitive NASH from simple fatty liver. Notably, we are also able to investigate a group of patients with possible NASH and to establish reliable cutoffs for the differential diagnosis of possible NASH from definitive NASH. Appropriate cut-off values for serum M-30 antigen and M-65 antigen were 121.60 IU/L (sensitivity, 60.0%; specificity, 95.8%; positive predictive value, 96.4%; negative predictive value, 56.1%) and 241.34 IU/L (sensitivity, 68.9%; specificity, 83.3%; positive predictive value, 88.6%; negative predictive value, 58.8%), respectively. Altogether, these biochemical findings seem to indicate that possible NASH more closely resembles the clinical and pathophysiological features of simple fatty liver than those of definitive NASH.
Importantly, it remains a clinically crucial issue to distinguish definitive NASH from more benign forms of NAFLD[1]. The appropriate cut-off values for serum M-30 antigen and M-65 antigen that distinguish between NASH and no-NASH (borderline NASH, simple fatty liver, normal tissue) were 121.60 IU/L (sensitivity, 60.0%; specificity, 97.4%; positive predictive value, 96.4%; negative predictive value, 67.3%) and 243.82 IU/L (sensitivity, 68.9%; specificity, 81.6%; positive predictive value, 81.6%; negative predictive value, 68.9%), respectively. Of great interest, multivariate regression analysis showed that the combination of M-30 antigen and CT increased the sensitivity and specificity for definitive NASH to 86.1% and 83.3%, respectively. Similarly, the combination of M-65 antigen and CT increased the sensitivity and specificity for NASH to 83.3% and 83.3%, respectively. Altogether, our data suggest that measurement of different forms of CK18 in combination with CT has greater diagnostic utility for the identification of patients with definitive NASH than the use of either test alone.
A weak, albeit significant, correlation between serum forms of CK18 (both M30-antigen and M65-antigen) and levels of hepatic transaminases was found. Although it has been suggested that aminotransferases are released during necrosis at a higher rate than in apoptosis[36], we found that hepatic transaminases were significantly correlated with levels of both M-30 antigen (a marker of apoptosis) and M-65 antigen (a marker of necrosis). To quantify the rates of apoptosis and necrosis in patients with definitive NASH, we also determined the M30:M65 ratio[22] as a means to investigate mode of cell death of hepatocytes (data not shown). Of note, differently from other forms of NAFLD, the mode of such cellular death was apoptosis dominant in definitive NASH individuals compared to other NAFLD patient groups.
In summary, the results of the present study suggest that noninvasive monitoring of different forms of CK18 (M30-antigen and M65-antigen) in sera of patients with suspected NAFLD may represent a reliable tool to differentiate definitive NASH from simple fatty liver. Additionally, these biomarkers may be useful for identifying NAFLD patients with more severe liver fibrosis. Further validation studies in larger groups of patients are needed to confirm our findings.
The authors thank the assistance of the Research Fellows and the Scientific Staff at the Uludag University Medical School. Also, we are indebted to Dr. Enzo Emanuele for revising our manuscript.
Liver biopsy remains the gold standard for assessing histologic lesions of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). Unfortunately, it is an invasive procedure associated with discomfort and some risk. The limitations of a liver biopsy have led to considerable interest and attempts to diagnose this condition with laboratory tests and imaging modalities.
As liver biopsy is impossible to perform as a diagnostic mass-screening tool, great effort is currently being spent in the validation of simple non-invasive markers of liver injury in patients with NAFLD. Specifically, the early identification of patients with nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) is of clinical importance because of the prognostic implications.
We demonstrated that noninvasive monitoring of different forms of cytokeratin-18 (M30-antigen and M65-antigen) in sera of patients with suspected NAFLD may represent a reliable tool to differentiate definitive NASH from simple fatty liver. Additionally, these biomarkers may be useful for identifying NAFLD patients with severer liver fibrosis.
In patients with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, measurement of different forms of cytokeratin-18 in patient sera, a simple and non-invasive biomarker reliably predicts the presence or absence of NASH.
Cytokeratin-18: a cytoskeletal protein found primarily in epithelial cells; M30-antigen: a fragment of cytokeratin-18 cleaved at Asp396 by caspases (a marker of apoptosis); M65-antigen: full-length soluble cytokeratin-18 (a marker of necrosis).
This manuscript is pertinent, timely, with a fairly rigorous statistical approach to an important clinical question: what would be the best biological markers in human NAFLD.
S- Editor Liu Y L- Editor Mihm S E- Editor Lu W
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