Lysyl oxidase like protein-2 (LOXL-2); a novel marker for prediction of intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy. (18th July 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Turhan, Uğur; Şahin, Banuhan; Dağ, İsmail
• Is Part Of: Journal of maternal-fetal & neonatal medicine. Volume 34:Number 14(2021)
• Page Start: 2363
• Page End: 2368
• Publication Date: 2021-07-18
• Subjects: Bile acid -- cholestasis -- intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy -- lysyl oxidase like-2 (LOXL-2) -- liver; Obstetrics -- Periodicals; Perinatology -- Periodicals; Infants (Newborn) -- Diseases -- Periodicals; Neonatology -- Periodicals; 618.2
• DOI: 10.1080/14767058.2021.1885646
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1476-7058

Abstract

Abstract: Objective: Lysyl oxidase like protein 2 (LOXL-2) is an enzyme that is involved in the development of hepatic fibrosis and bile duct epithelial injury in hepatic cholestasis. Our aim was to investigate maternal serum levels of LOXL-2 and their relationship with fasting total bile acid (FTBA) levels in patients with intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy (ICP). Materials and methods: Thirty-five pregnant women with ICP and 35 healthy women with uncomplicated pregnancies as the control group, were included in this cross-sectional study. Maternal serum LOXL-2, FTBA and other liver function test levels were compared between the two groups. The predictive cutoff value for LOXL-2 level in ICP was specified. Results: Serum LOXL-2 levels were found to be higher in the ICP group compared to the control group (225.699 ± 142.453 vs. 127.731 ± 63.419 pg/mL, p = .001). There was a significant positive correlation between serum LOXL-2 levels and FTBA levels ( r = 0.330, p = .003). The optimal cutoff point for LOXL-2 for identifying increased risk of ICP was found to be ≥102 pg/mL, for which the sensitivity and specificity were 96.87% and 48.57%, respectively ( p < .001). Conclusions: Maternal serum LOXL-2 levels were significantly higher in women with ICP. LOXL-2 may be both an initiating factor in the pathophysiology of ICP and a marker in the prediction. It may also be a target in terms of preventing strategies in ICP.