Plasma osteopontin concentration correlates with the severity of hepatic fibrosis and inflammation in HCV-infected subjects

Background: The association between OPN level and the histological severity of hepatic fibrosis and inflammation in hepatitis C virus (HCV) induced liver fibrosis remains unknown. Methods: 120 chronic HCV-infected subjects and 75 controls were enrolled in this study. Assessment of liver histology was performed based on liver biopsy. Plasma OPN levels were determined. Results: Significant differences were noted in the mean plasma OPN levels between subjects with extensive fibrosis and those with mild fibrosis (4.29 +/- 1.01 ng/ml vs. 2.15 +/- 0.63 ng/ml, respectively; p<0.001). Similarly, the subjects with higher histological activity index (HAI) score had elevated OPN levels than those with mild HAI score (4.41 +/- 1.11 ng/ml vs. 2.25 +/- 0.94 ng/ml, respectively; p<0.001). The correlation between the plasma OPN levels and the severity of liver fibrosis degree and HAI score were noted (r = 0.945, and r = 0.788, respectively both p<0.001). Logistic regression analysis showed that serum OPN was an independent risk factor contributing to extensive liver fibrosis and inflammation (p = 0.0018 and p<0.001, respectively) in patients with HCV subjects. Conclusion: The plasma OPN level is correlated with the severity of liver fibrosis and inflammation, suggesting OPN could be used as a biomarker to evaluate the severity of liver damages in HCV subjects. (C) 2010 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.