Liver Fatty Acid-binding Protein Is A Diagnostic Marker to Detect Liver Injury Due to Chronic Hepatitis C Infection

Background and Aims. Liver fatty acid-binding protein (L-FABP) is a small molecule. The aim of this study was to examine L-FABP levels and to detect its diagnostic value in chronic hepatitis C (CHC). Methods. We studied 22 patients with CHC and 20 healthy control subjects. Patients with persistently elevated serum aminotransferases and positive HCV RNA were included in the study. Patients with CHC underwent percutaneous liver biopsy. Serum level of L-FABP was determined by ELISA method. Results. Patients with CHC had significantly increased levels of L-FABP compared to controls. A strong correlation between serum L-FABP concentrations and aspartate aminotransferases, alanine aminotransferases, HCV RNA levels and hepatic inflammation was found. When a cut-off value was 29,000 pg/mL for L-FABP, sensitivity and specificity were 75 and 100%, respectively. Positive and negative predictive values for L-FABP were 100 and 78%, respectively. Conclusions. Serum L-FABP is used as a new diagnostic marker to detect liver injury. (C) 2013 IMSS. Published by Elsevier Inc.