Serum Autofluorescence, a Potential Serum Marker for the Diagnosis of Liver Fibrosis in Rats

International Journal of Molecular Sciences

Yu-Tao Zhan⁴  Li Li⁴  Jing Weng¹  Xin Song²  Shao-Qi Yang³ 

[1] Reproductive Medicine Center, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100069, China; E-Mail:;Department of Clinic Laboratory, Beijing Tongren Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100730, China; E-Mail:;Department of Gastroenterology, the Affiliated Hospital of Ningxia Medical University, Yinchuan 750000, China; E-Mail:;Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Beijing Tongren Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100730, China; E-Mail:

关键词: serum autofluorescence;    hepatic fibrosis;    diagnosis;    noninvasive;   

DOI  :  10.3390/ijms130912130

来源: mdpi

【 摘 要 】

Fluctuations in serum autofluorescence (AF) intensity have recently been widely used as markers of certain diseases such as cancer. To determine the diagnostic value of serum AF intensity for liver fibrosis in rats, we induced liver fibrosis by subcutaneous injection of carbon tetrachloride into rats. The rat serum AF intensities were detected at the excitation wavelength of 337 nm and the emission wavelength of 512 nm. The degree of liver fibrosis was evaluated by Van Gieson’s staining. The relationship between serum AF intensity and the degree of liver fibrosis was analyzed by Spearman and Pearson Correlation. The diagnostic sensitivity and specificity of the serum AF was determined by analyzing the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves. Our results show that the serum AF intensity in the rat liver fibrosis model increased when compared with control rats eight weeks and twelve weeks post induction of liver fibrosis. However, there was no significant difference in serum AF intensity between fibrotic and control rats at four week post induction. Furthermore, serum AF intensity correlated positively with the severity of the degree of hepatic fibrosis. ROC analysis further suggested that serum AF intensity is a valid marker for staging fibrosis. Therefore, it may potentially be developed as a novel diagnostic tool for hepatic fibrosis.

【 授权许可】

CC BY   
© 2012 by the authors; licensee Molecular Diversity Preservation International, Basel, Switzerland.