TBA (21W113)

The relationship between liver disease stage and circulating angiogenic factors

Author(s)

C Deane1,2, C Walker1, 2, I McDonald2, T Butler2, D Mc Namara1,2

Department(s)/Institutions

Department of Gastroenterology, Tallaght University Hospital, Dublin, Ireland1 Trinity Academic Associate Group, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland2

Introduction

Pathological angiogenesis is hypothesized to be linked to the process of liver fibrogenesis.

Aims/Background

This study aimed to determine the relationship between levels of circulating angiogenic factors in subjects with different stages of liver disease.

Method

A prospective case-control study was performed, patients were recruited and grouped into controls, fatty liver (with and without fibrosis) and cirrhosis. Patients with conditions and medications known to alter angiogenic factors were excluded. Patient demographics were noted and 12mls of serum was drawn for the measurement of angiopoietin 1(ang-1), angiopoietin 2, tissue inhibitor of mellatoproteinase-1 (TIMP-1) and endostatin. Descriptive statistics were performed and between group analyses were done using ANOVA and Mann Whitney U test. A p value of <0.05 was considered significant.

Results

55 patient results were analysed; 16 cirrhotic, 16 fatty liver, 23 controls. There was no statistical difference between groups in terms of age or Hb. The aetiology of liver disease was alcohol in the majority of cases. Mean Ang-1 levels were statistically lower in the cirrhotic group versus controls only (p <0.0436). TIMP-1 had a statistically higher concentration in those with cirrhosis versus controls (p<0.0113). While Ang-2 had a higher concentration in the cirrhotic group in comparison to control (p<0.0002) and the fatty liver group in comparison to control (p<0.0252). Endostatin was not found to be significantly different between groups.

Conclusions

Our study confirms angiogenic factor expression varies with different stages of liver disease, specifically; ang-1, ang-2, TIMP-1. Further investigation into their potential value as biomarkers of disease stage is warranted.