Plasma protein C as a marker of hepatocellular damage in alcoholic liver disease.

The synthesis of a number of clotting factors takes place in a hepatocyte. Therefore, measurement of these factors in the blood have proved to be of additional value in the diagnosis and follow-up of liver diseases. In the present study we evaluated protein C level in the plasma of patients with liver cell damage due to chronic alcohol consumption. A decrease in plasma protein C concentration which correlated with clinical performance of the patients was found. Significant correlations between the level of protein C and antithrombin III, one-stage prothrombin time, factors VII and X and some biochemical tests reflecting liver cell damage were also stated. The obtained data indicate that plasma protein C level may constitute a useful marker of hepatocellular disease in alcoholics.