Plasma Golgi Protein 73 Levels Predict Prognosis Of HCV-related Hepatic Fibrosis

Objective: To explore the correlation between plasma Golgi protein73(GP73)and progression of hepatitis C virus(HCV)-induced hepatic fibrosis.Methods:1.A total of 232 subjects of chronic hepatitis C and 31 healthy co ntrols were enrolled from Third Hospital of Hebei Medical University from January 2010 to September 2018.2.The plasma GP73 levels were detected by ELISA.Hematoxylin and eosin,Masson trichrome stained liver tissue sections were examined under light microscope based on METAVIR scoring system and "Beijin g classification(P-I-R)".The correlation analysis and operating character istic curve(ROC)were performed to analyze the diagnostic efficiency of plasma GP73,APRI and FIB-4 for staging hepatic fibrosis and predicting progression.Results: The plasma levels were increased with progression of liver fibrosis,and GP73 concentrations of the healthy controls,HCV patients with fibrosis stage 1,2,3 and 4 were 94.82 ng/ml,151.3 ng/ml,157.9 ng/ml,181.7 ng/ml,208.5 ng/ml,respectively.According to “Beijing classification”,plasma GP73 concentrations were 177.08 ng/ml and 154.00 ng/ml in the progression group and regressive / indeterminate groups,respectively(P = 0.007).The area under the ROC curves(AUCs)of GP73,APRI and FIB-4 for the diagnosis of liver cirrhosis were 0.89,0.77 and 0.82,respectively,and for progressive fibrosis was 0.73.The plasma GP73 levels were significantly positively correlated with hepatic inflammation,serum ALT and albumin levels.Conclusions: The plasma GP73 might be a potential biomarker forstaging liver fibrosis,and could predict regression or progression of HCV-related liver fibrosis.