OBJECTIVESUsing receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve to compare the value of platelet derived growth factor-BB (PDGF-BB), transforming growth factor-beta1 (TGF-beta1), matrix metalloproteinase-1 (MMP-1), tissue inhibitor of matrix metalloproteinase-1 (TIMP-1), hyaluronic acid (HA), type III procollagen (PCIII), type IVcollagen (C-IV) and laminin (LN) in serum and message RNA (mRNA) expression of TIMP-1 and MMP-1 in peripheral blood mononucleocytes (PBMC) to diagnose liver fibrosis.

METHODSSerum samples from 60 chronic hepatitis B patients and 20 healthy blood donors were assayed for serum level of PDGF-BB, TGF-beta1, MMP-1 and TIMP-1 with ELISA, and for serum level of HA, PCIII, C-IV and LN, with RIA. The mRNA expression of TIMP-1 and MMP-1 in PBMC was detected by RT-PCR. Liver biopsy was performed in all those patients. The biopsy materials were examined histopathologically.

RESULTSThrough the analysis by ROC curve, serum PDGF-BB is the most valuable marker, and its sensitivity was the highest among eight indices. The marker with the highest specificity was TIMP-1 mRNA in PBMCs. The area under the curve (AUC) of PDGF-BB, TIMP-1, HA, PCIII, C-IV, LN, TIMP-1 mRNA was 0.985, 0.726, 0.318, 0.728, 0.727, 0.583, 0.463, 0.876, respectively. The sensitivity and specificity of combination of PDGF-BB and TIMP-1 mRNA were 97.4%, 95.0%, respectively.

CONCLUSIONSerum PDGF-BB is the most potential index among eight markers. The combination of serum PDGF-BB and TIMP-1 mRNA in PBMC might be more efficient to screen liver fibrosis.