Redox Homeostasis and Non-Invasive Assessment of Significant Liver Fibrosis by Shear Wave Elastography

Abstract

Hepatic fibrosis with various origins can be estimated non-invasively by using certain biomarkers and imaging-based measurements. The aim of our study was to examine redox homeostasis biomarkers and liver stiffness measurements for the assessment of significant liver fibrosis in different etiologies of chronic liver diseases. A cohort study consisting of 88 chronic liver disease patients of both sexes (age 49.1 ± 14.7 years) was performed. Cytokine profiles as well as redox homeostasis characteristics were determined. Liver fibrosis stages were assessed with shear wave elastography. The plasma levels of four cytokines showed no significant alteration between the four fibrotic stages; however, higher values were measured in the F2–4 stages. Free sulfhydryl group concentration, the marker of redox homeostasis, was lower in significant fibrosis (F0–F1: 0.36 ± 0.06 vs. F2–4: 0.29 ± 0.08 mmol/L, p < 0.05). Higher chemiluminescence values, as free radical–antioxidant parameters, were detected in advanced fibrosis stages in erythrocytes (F0–F1: 36.00 ± 37.13 vs. F2–4: 51.47 ± 44.34 RLU%). These data suggest that oxidative stress markers can predict significant fibrosis, with the aim of reducing the number of protocol liver biopsies in patients unlikely to have significant disease; however, their role in distinguishing between the certain fibrosis groups needs further studies.