Serum Apoptosis Markers in Acute Liver Failure: A Pilot Study

Abstract

Background & Aims: We sought to determine whether circulating apoptotic markers are altered in acute liver failure (ALF), differ with etiology, or predict clinical outcome in this condition. Methods: Serum levels of soluble Fas (sFas), tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), hepatocyte growth factor (HGF), and interleukin-6 (IL-6) were measured in 67 acute liver failure patients, as well as controls. In a subset of the groups, we measured serum M-30 antigen, an exposed neoepitope from caspase cleavage. We also assessed M-30 immunoreactivity in liver tissue of ALF patients and controls. Results: Median levels for TNF-α, HGF, IL-6, and M-30 antigen were at least 10-fold greater in ALF than in hepatitis C virus or normal controls (P