Does transient elastography correlate with liver fibrosis in patients with PSC? Laennec score-based analysis of explanted livers

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

Previous studies demonstrated a close correlation between transient elastography (TE) and liver histology in chronic liver diseases. Data on the accuracy of TE in primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC) remains scarce. Here, we investigated the association between TE, serum marker of liver injury and histology of explanted livers in PSC patients.

METHODS

Thirty patients were prospectively recruited. TE (Fibroscan^®) and blood sampling were performed during evaluation for liver transplantation (LT); the second blood sampling was performed on the day of LT. Fibrosis of explanted livers according to the seven-point Laennec staging system and liver collagen contents were measured.

RESULTS

TE correlated with Laennec stages of fibrosis (p = .001), collagen contents (p < .001) and with diameter of thickest septa (p = .034) in explanted livers. It also correlated with serum indices of liver injury, namely AST, bilirubin as well as FIB-4 and APRI scores (all p < .05). In a multivariate model, only liver fibrosis, according to either Laennec score (p = .035) or collagen contents (p = .005), was significantly associated with TE. Finally, patients with cirrhosis had increased liver stiffness (p = .002) and the TE cut-off of 13.7 kPa showed the best predictive value (AUC = .90, 95% CI: 0.80-1.00, p < .001) for detecting cirrhosis.

CONCLUSIONS

TE correlates with liver fibrosis and markers of liver injury in patients with PSC. However, liver fibrosis seems to be the strongest predictor of liver stiffness assessed with TE. Hence, we postulate that TE is a reliable tool for non-invasive monitoring of PSC.

The effect of feeding with low-protein feed mixes on the growth and slaughter value of young male Pharaoh quails

Abstract. Experimental material consisted of one-day Pharaoh quail chicks, which were separated into three experimental groups. The birds of group I received a fodder, the nutritive value of which was consistent with recommended feeding standards for growing quails, whereas for those of group II and III the protein level was lowered in all feed mixes appropriated for the whole rearing period. During the experiment, individual body weight, feed consumption, and bird deaths and their health culling were controlled. At the age of 42 days, 11 males of each group, with a body weight similar to the group mean, were slaughtered. In blood samples collected, the level of amylase was assayed, as well as quail slaughter value was calculated and depot fat and extramuscular fat contents were determined. Meat chemical determinations were made (dry matter, protein and fat contents), as well as physicochemical (pH, colour, water binding capacity) and sensory ones (cooked meat and bouillon). Basing on the performed examination, it was found that a lowered level of protein in fodder did not affect quail body weight, slaughter yield, or breast part and leg participation in body weight. Carcass fatness decreased and meat water binding capacity improved. The values of majority of other examined meat qualitative traits were similar to those obtained in control group.