Serum Alpha-Fetoprotein: A Prognostic Indicator of Liver-cell Necrosis and Regeneration Following Experimental Injury by Galactosamine in Rats. Issue 5 (5th February 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Sell, Stewart; Stillman, David; Gochman, Nathan
• Is Part Of: American journal of clinical pathology. Volume 66:Issue 5(1976)
• Page Start: 847
• Page End: 853
• Publication Date: 2016-02-05
• Subjects: Liver -- Injury -- Alpha-fetoprotein -- Galactosamine -- Hepatitis -- Regeneration; Diagnosis, Laboratory -- Periodicals; Pathology -- Periodicals; 616.07
• DOI: 10.1093/ajcp/66.5.847
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0002-9173

Abstract

Abstract : The serum concentrations of alpha-fetoprotein of rats following experimental galactosamine-induced liver-cell necrosis accurately reflect the severity of preceding liver-cell damage as determined by elevation of serum transaminases. There is a very close correlation between the highest SGOT or SGPT serum activity found 1–2 days after induction of necrosis and the subsequent elevation of alpha-fetoprotein at 2–6 days. Elevations of alpha-fetoprotein are associated in time with restitutive proliferation of the damaged liver. These experimental results clarify the temporal relationship between alpha-fetoprotein and repair of liver-cell damage, which has been suggested by similar observations in cases of patients who have acute or subacute viral hepatitis. The correlations support the concept that serum alphafetoprotein concentrations may be used as a prognostic indicator of the extent and course of fulminant or subacute hepatitis.