MMP-7 is a non-invasive biomarker of chronic liver diseases

Introduction and Objectives

This study aimed to evaluate serum concentrations of MMP-7 in different liver etiologies and according to fibrosis stage.

Materials and methods

A cross-sectional and multicenter study was carried out, including subjects with alcoholism (WHO criteria), without (OH) and with liver injury (cirrhosis, CiOH); diagnosed by clinical, biochemical data, non-alcoholic fatty liver (NAFLD) and chronic Hepatitis C (CHC). Transitional elastography (Fibroscan) was performed in NAFLD and CHC, considering mild fibrosis (MF: F0, F1, F2) and advanced fibrosis (AF: F3, F4). As controls, subjects without alcohol consumption (CT) were recruited. For the quantification of MMP-7, Multiplex-MERCK© was used. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS V.22 using Mann Whitney U, p<0.05.

Results

It was included 99 subjects (OH); 45 (CiOH); 48 (CHC, FL); 54 (CHC, FA); 27 (NAFLD, FL); 36 (NAFLD, AF) and 131 CT. MMP-7 was found to be elevated in CHC (FL and FA), vs. CT; and decreased in OH, CiOH, NAFLD (FL and FA) vs. CT, plus there are significant differences between all etiologies, p<0.001.

Discussion

MMP-7 is a matrilysin that degrades extracellular matrix products (proteoglycans); it increases significantly in subjects with CHC compared to CT, while in other pathologies with stages, even in advanced fibrosis, the levels are decreased compared to CT.

Conclusion

The increased MMP-7 in serum of chronic Hepatitis C and decreased in alcoholism and non-alcoholic fatty liver patients suggests that, according to the etiology, the levels can be useful to make a differential diagnosis. It is a potential non-invasive biomarker.

Funding

This work was partially financed by CONACyT SALUD-2016-272579 and PAPIIT- UNAM TA200515.

Declaration of interest

The authors declare no potential conflicts of interest.