Markers of Monocyte Activation, Inflammation, and Microbial Translocation Are Associated with Liver Fibrosis in Alcohol Use Disorder

Abstract

Background: The association between markers of inflammation (interleukin (IL)-6 and IL-10), monocyte activation (sCD163 and sCD14), and microbial translocation (lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and LPS binding protein) and liver fibrosis in patients with alcohol use disorder (AUD) and no overt liver disease is not well established. Methods: We studied patients admitted for treatment of AUD at two hospitals in Barcelona. Advanced liver fibrosis (ALF) was defined as FIB-4 > 3.25. Results: A total of 353 participants (76.3% male) were included and 94 (26.5%) had ALF. In adjusted correlation analyses, sCD163, sCD14, IL-6, IL-10, and LPS binding protein levels directly correlated with FIB-4 values (adjusted correlation coefficients 0.214, 0.452, 0.317, 0.204, and 0.171, respectively). However, LPS levels were inversely associated with FIB-4 (-0.283). All plasma marker levels in the highest quartile, except LPS, were associated with ALF (sCD163, sCD14, IL-6, IL-10, and LPS binding protein: adjusted odds ratio (aOR) 11.49 (95% confidence interval 6.42-20.56), 1.87 (1.11-3.16), 2.99 (1.79-5.01), 1.84 (1.11-3.16), and 2.13 (1.30-3.50), respectively). Conversely, LPS levels in the lowest quartile were associated with ALF (aOR 2.58 (1.48-4.58), p < 0.01). Conclusion: In AUD patients, plasma levels of the markers of inflammation, monocyte activation, and microbial translocation are associated with ALF.