EFFECT OF ALPHA-1-DEFENSIN ON THE LEVEL OF ENDOTOXINEMIA IN LIVER CIRRHOSIS
Abstract
Background. Endotoxinemia is an important link in the pathogenesis of liver cirrhosis and its complications. At the same time, the impaired production of nonspecific humoral defense factors of the immunity system can also lead to the
development of endotoxinemia. Objective. To evaluate the influence of alpha-1-defensin, as a nonspecific humoral defense factor of the body, on the development of endotoxinemia. Material and methods. The study was conducted in accordance with the parallel-group controlled study protocol (with a control group receiving standard care of an underlying disorder) in the departments of Gastroenterology and Anesthesiology and Resuscitation of Vitebsk regional clinical specialized center. The study included 34 patients with alcohol-related liver cirrhosis. The experimental group included 23 practically healthy people. Lipopolysaccharide and alpha-1-defensin levels were determined by ELISA method using Human LPS ELISA Kit, Human DEFA1 ELISA Kit, respectively. Results. The study found that the serum LPS level in patients with cirrhosis was higher (91.4; 67.95 - 99.97 pg/mL) than that in the experimental group (64.0; 49.88 - 71.51 pg/mL, Z=3.99, p=0.00003). The serum DEFA1 level in patients with cirrhosis was also higher (370.46; 260.96 - 408.83 pg/mL) than that in the experimental group (181.5; 130.38 - 276.6 pg/mL, Z=2.4, p=0.014). There was a strong inverse correlation between serum LPS and DEFA1 levels in patients with cirrhosis (r=-0.79, p<0.05). Conclusion. The patients with liver cirrhosis had a statistically significant increase in serum levels of lipopolysaccharide and alpha-1-defensin, there being a strong inverse correlation of the studied parameters. Moreover, an increase in the level of LPS in the blood serum alongside with relatively lower levels of DEFA1 is observed in a number of patients with
liver cirrhosis, that is confirmed by a strong inverse correlation of the studied parameters. Such changes indicate that the decrease in the activity of nonspecific humoral defense factors of the body leads to the accumulation of bacterial
endotoxins in blood serum, which further contributes to the development of complications of liver cirrhosis.
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