Human alpha 1-microglobulin in various hepatic disorders.

Human alpha 1-microglobulin (alpha 1-m) levels were studied in the sera and urine of patients with various liver diseases. In patients with acute hepatitis and chronic hepatitis it was almost within the normal range. A significant decrease of serum alpha 1-m, however, was demonstrated in patients with compensated liver cirrhosis (p less than 0.05) as well as in those with decompensated liver cirrhosis (p less than 0.001). The most striking decrease was noted in patients with fulminant hepatitis (p less than 0.001). Its concentration in hepatoma was generally within the normal range, but there was 1 hepatoma case with the high concentration of alpha 1-m. Serum alpha 1-m levels correlated significantly with serum albumin, plasma fibrinogen and cholinesterase activity. As compared with the level in normal individuals, the patients with decompensated liver cirrhosis had significantly low urinary alpha 1-m (p less than 0.005), reflecting the findings for sera. These results indicated that the liver plays an important role in alpha 1-m synthesis, and its quantitation may be used for evaluating severe liver damage.