Involvement of serum apolipoprotein AI and B100 and lecithin cholesterol acyl transferase in alcoholic cirrhotics.

Lipoproteins are synthesized by the liver and secreted to plasma. Chronic alcoholic intoxication produces frequently cirrhosis and concomitantly alterations in liver metabolism. Thirty patients with alcoholic cirrhosis and 83 healthy controls were selected for this study. Apolipoprotein A1, B100, lecithin cholesterol acyltransferase, responsible for cholesterol esterification and seudocholinesterase enzyme activity not related to lipid metabolism, as a referent of proteins synthesized by the liver were analyzed. In 7 patients serum tiobarbituric acids, catalase, glutathione peroxidase were measured, as exponent of the presence of oxidative stress. Our results showed a significant decrease in lipoproteins, lecithin cholesterol acyltransferase and seudocholinesterase activities. An increase in serum tiobarbituric acids and a decrease in both antioxidant enzymes were found as well. In conclusion, alcohol cirrhotic liver decreases the production of liver proteins including those related to lipid metabolism, allowing the formation of steatosis and/or necrosis. Moreover oxidative stress participate possible as a major mechanism in liver damage.