New Blood Test for Liver Fibrosis Using Type VI Collagen Fragment
Author Information
Author(s): Veidal Sanne Skovgård, Karsdal Morten Asser, Vassiliadis Efstathios, Nawrocki Arkadiusz, Larsen Martin Røssel, Nguyen Quoc Hai Trieu, Hägglund Per, Luo Yunyun, Zheng Qinlong, Vainer Ben, Leeming Diana Julie
Primary Institution: Nordic Bioscience A/S, Herlev, Denmark
Hypothesis
Specific MMP-2 and MMP-9 mediated degradation of type VI collagen is measurable in serum during liver fibrogenesis.
Conclusion
The CO6-MMP assay is a novel method for assessing liver fibrosis, showing significant elevation of type VI collagen degradation in two animal models.
Supporting Evidence
- CO6-MMP levels were significantly elevated in CCl4-treated rats compared to vehicle-treated rats.
- Serum levels of CO6-MMP were significantly elevated in BDL rats compared to sham-operated animals.
- The marker was highly associated with liver fibrosis in two liver fibrosis animal models.
- Correlation between hepatic collagen content and serum levels of CO6-MMP was significant.
Takeaway
Scientists created a new blood test that can help doctors see if someone has liver damage by measuring a special piece of collagen in the blood.
Methodology
The study developed an ELISA to detect a fragment of type VI collagen generated by MMP-2 and MMP-9, evaluated in two rat models of liver fibrosis.
Limitations
The study was conducted in homogeneous, inbred laboratory rats, which may not fully represent the complexity of human liver fibrosis.
Participant Demographics
Female Sprague-Dawley rats and male Wistar rats were used in the study.
Statistical Information
P-Value
p=0.0001; p=0.0003; p=0.0015; p=0.0018; p=0.0033
Statistical Significance
p<0.05
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
Want to read the original?
Access the complete publication on the publisher's website