The study of cytokeratin 18 fragments and inflammation related factors in non-alcoholic fatty liver disease

Objective To explore the clinical significance of the blood cytokeratin-18 (CK-18) fragments and inflammation related cytokines level in nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) with metabolism syndrome (MS) , and provide the evidence for preventing severe liver disease in these patients from early stage. Methods A total of 85 cases of NAFLD patient were enrolled in the study and 20 normal were recruited as normal control.All the 85 patients were divided into two groups according to whether or not combined with the metabolic syndrome as (NAFLD +MS) group and NAFLD group and 20 normal cases designated as normal control groups (NC) .Serum level of CK-18 fragment (M30-antigen) and total CK-18 (M65-antigen) and inflammation related cytokines (TNFα、IL-6) were determined by ELISA.Level of hs-CRP was tested by rate of scattering method. Results There was a statistical significance of CK-18 fragment serum level in MS+NAFLD group[ (143±38.7) ng/L] compared to NAFLD group and NC group (F=4.251 and P<0.05 respectively) .Serum TNF-alpha level in MS+NAFLD and NALFD group were higher[ (316±74.5) ng/L] than NC group (F=6.994, P<0.05) .Hs-CRP, IL-6 plasma, ALT and GGT level was higher in MS+NAFLD than in NALFD and NC group (P<0.05) .Conclusion CK-18 fragment combing with inflammation related factors may play a role in monitoring and preventing before severe liver disease in NAFLD.