Serum alpha-fetoprotein. A prognostic indicator of liver-cell necrosis and regeneration following experimental injury by galactosamine in rats.

The serum concentrations of alpha-fetoprotein of rats following experimental galactosamine-induced liver-cell necrosis accurately reflect the severity of preceding liver-cell damage as determined by elevation of serum transaminases. There is a very close correlation between the highest SGOT or SGPT serum activity found 1-2 days after induction of necrosis and the subsequent elevation of alpha-fetoprotein at 2-6 days. Elevations of alpha-fetoprotein are associated in time with restitutive proliferation of the damaged liver. These experimental results clarify the temporal relationship between alpha-fetoprotein and repair of liver-cell damage, which has been suggested by similar observations in cases of patients who have acute or sub-acute viral hepatitis. The correlations support the concept that serum alpha-fetoprotein concentrations may be used as a prognostic indicator of the extent and course of fulminatn or subacute hepatitis.