Table 5.
Marker | Abbreviations | Characteristics |
---|---|---|
Macrophage receptor for haptoglobin-hemoglobin complexes | CD163 | Marks Kupffer cell activation. Elevated levels are associated with poor prognosis. |
Soluble urokinase plasminogen activator receptor | suPAR | Marks activation of inflammatory cells. Associated with disease severity. |
Cytokines Proinflammatory Anti-inflammatory |
TNF-α, IL-6, IL-8 IL-10, TGF-β |
An altered balance in the ratio of proinflammatory and anti-inflammatory cytokines is typical during the course of liver disease progression in alcoholics. |
Immune responses towards ethanol metabolites | Anti-acetaldehyde adduct IgA, IgG, IgM | Anti-adduct IgAs are typical in ALD. Useful for differential diagnosis between alcoholic and non-alcoholic causes of liver disease. |
High sensitivity C-reactive protein |
hs-CRP | A marker of low-grade-inflammation. Associated with pro-inflammatory status, which also contributes to multiple alcohol-induced mood disorders, including depression. |