https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/30915406 Biliary atresia
Clin Exp Hepatol. 2019 Mar;5(1):48-54. doi: 10.5114/ceh.2019.83156. Epub 2019 Feb 20.
Increased serum glypican-3 is associated with liver stiffness and hepatic dysfunction in children with biliary atresia.
Sirisomboonlarp K1, Udomsinprasert W1,2, McConachie E1, Woraruthai T1, Poovorawan Y3, Honsawek S1.

Abstract

AIM OF THE STUDY:
Biliary atresia (BA) is an uncommon disorder of the liver and bile ducts affecting infants and is characterized by progressive fibrosclerosing obstruction of the extrahepatic biliary tree leading to end-stage liverfailure. The purpose of this study was to determine serum glypican-3 (GPC3) levels and liver stiffness in children with BA and the correlation of glypican-3 with clinical parameters.

MATERIAL AND METHODS:
Seventy-five post-Kasai BA patients and 28 healthy age-matched controls were registered. Serum GPC3 levels were examined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Liver stiffness measurement was analyzed by transient elastography.

RESULTS:
BA patients had significantly greater serum GPC3 and liver stiffness values than controls (p < 0.001). Serum GPC3 and liver stiffness values were significantly higher in jaundiced BA patients than in non-jaundiced BA patients (p< 0.001). Additionally, serum glypican-3 was associated with liver stiffness and serum total bilirubin (p < 0.001, respectively).

CONCLUSIONS:
Elevated serum GPC3 levels were associated with hepatic dysfunction and the severity of BA. As a result, serum GPC3 and liver stiffness might serve as biomarkers reflecting the deterioration of hepatic function and the outcome in post-Kasai BA.