Alteration in Biochemical and Antioxidant Parameters in Patients with Alcoholic Liver Injury

Abstract

Introduction: Alcoholic Liver Disease (ALD) is a result of excessive consumption of alcohol for long duration. Although several biomarkers associated with liver status are known to be influenced by excessive consumption of alcohol, however, the effect of alcohol quantity on biochemical changes and oxidative stress in ALD patients has not explained very well in previous studies. Aim: To find out the alteration in biochemical parameters related to liver functions, antioxidants levels and oxidative stress in ALD patients (both moderate and heavy drinkers). Materials and Methods: In the present study, 260 subjects were recruited from the Department of Medicine, Gastroenterology, SriAurobindo Institute of Medical Sciences (SAIMS) and Hospital, Indore, India and divided in three groups: Group I-(n=75) diagnosed cases of ALD with moderate drinkers Group II-(n=92) diagnosed cases of ALD with heavy drinkers; and Group III included (n=93) normal healthy controls. The levels of serum enzymes such as Aspartate Transaminase (AST), Alanine Transaminase (ALT), Alkaline Phosphatase (ALP), and γ-Glutamyl Transferase (GGT), total protein, total bilirubin and lipid parameters such as total cholesterol, triglyceride, High Density Cholesterol (HDL) and Low Density Cholesterol (LDL) were measured by fully automated chemistry analyser. The levels of antioxidants such as Superoxide Dismutase (SOD), Catalase (CAT) and oxidative stress marker such as Malondialdehyde (MDA) was estimated by spectrophotometric method. p<0.05 was considered as a significant level. Results: The present study demonstrate that the serum levels of AST, ALT, ALP, GGT, total bilirubin total cholesterol, triglyceride, LDL, VLDL and plasma MDA were significantly increased (p<0.001) and serum total protein, blood levels of SOD and CAT activity were significantly decreased (p<0.001) in Group I (ALD with moderate drinkers) as well as Group II (ALD with heavy drinkers) when compared with Group III (healthy controls), respectively. On comparison of Group I (ALD with moderate drinkers) with Group II (ALD with heavy drinkers), a significant difference was found only for LDL cholesterol, serum total bilirubin and plasma MDA. Conclusion: Alcohol-induced liver injury is linked to significant alteration in various biochemical parameters and oxidative stress as observed by reduced levels of antioxidants in moderate as well as in heavy drinkers.

Keywords

• alcoholic fatty liver disease
• malondialdehyde
• oxidative stress
• superoxide dismutase