Systemic inflammation is linked to liver fibrogenesis in patients with advanced chronic liver disease

Abstract

Background & Aims: Experimental evidence indicates that systemic inflammation (SI) promotes liver fibrogenesis. This study investigated the potential link between SI and fibrogenesis in patients with advanced chronic liver disease (ACLD). Methods: Serum biomarkers of SI (CRP, IL-6, procalcitonin [PCT]) and extracellular matrix (ECM) turnover (i.e., fibrogenesis/fibrolysis) were analysed in 215 prospectively recruited patients with ACLD (hepatic venous pressure gradient [HVPG] ≥6 mm Hg) undergoing hepatic vein catheterization. Patients with non-elective hospitalization or bacterial infection were excluded. Histological alpha-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) area was quantified on full biopsy scans by automated morphometric quantification in a subset of 34 patients who underwent concomitant transjugular liver biopsy. Results: Histological α-SMA proportionate area correlated with enhanced liver fibrosis (ELF) score (Spearman's ρ = 0.660, p