用乙酰化组蛋白阳性肝细胞比例预测慢性肝硬化肝功能储备

Background and aims: we previously raised a novel concept of "function of heterogenicity of hepatocytes" which elucidated that normally, the minor proportion of the hepatocytes with acetylized histone are able to exert the whole function of the liver, the other hepatocytes, therefore, acts as the functional reservoir and could only be activated after massive parenchymal loss. This study is aimed to investigate whether we can evaluate the functional reservoir of the cirrhotic liver according to the ratio of the acetylized-histone positive hepatocytes. Methods: paraffin tissue samples and clinical data of 624 patients suffering posthepatitic B cirrhosis were obtained. The relation between the ratio of acetylized-histone positive hepatocytes and Child- Turcotte-Pugh (CTP) score was analyzed. Results: the positive expression rates of Ace-H2A (K5), Ace-H3 (K9/K14) and Ace-H3 (K27) in hepatocytes among the grades were statistically significant, and positive associated with the CTP score grading and PT values. The positive expression rates of Ace-H3 (K9/K14) and Ace-H3 (K27) were positive associated with the CK level, and the positive rates of Ace-H2A (K5) and Ace-H3 (K27) were positive associated with the level of LDH. Only the positive rate of Ace-H3 (K9/K14) was negatively correlated with the level of GGT. Conclusion: The expression levels of histone acetylation were associated with some liver function indicators, and could be used as markers of functional reservoir of the cirrhotic liver.