Relationship Between Serum TIMP-1,HA,PⅢP And Hepatic Fibrosis In Patients With Chronic Hepatitis B

Hepatic fibrosis is an abnormal self-rehabilitation after wounded in the liver, which is characterized by a net increased synthesis and decreased degradation of hepatic extracellular matrix(ECM). Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) are the main enzymes to remodel ECM with degradation of connective tissues. Although the enzymes activities are regulated in various stages, the most crucial regulation occurs through the action of tissue inhibitors of. metalloproteinases(TIMPs),which bind in substrate- and tissue-specific manners to MMPs, blocking their proteolytic activities. An imbalance of MMPs and TIMPs may contribute to the pathogenesis of hepatic fibrosis.TIMP-1 is the representative to the family of TIMPs. Not only can TIMP-1 act to prevent degradation of the rapidly-accumulating ECM by blocking MMPs function, it also inhibits apoptosis of activated Hepatic Stellate Cells(HSCs),the cellular source of collagens. Previous study has shown that TIMP-1 increases in fibrotic liver, so it may be used as a marker of hepatic fibrosis. Hyaluronic acid(HA),...