Blood markers of alcoholic liver disease.

Not all heavy drinkers develop severe alcoholic liver disease. Genetic factors are probably involved, but no corresponding useful markers have been developed thus far. Of greater practical applicability is the recognition of early changes in the liver that may indicate that the process of scarring or fibrosis has been initiated. Measurement of breakdown products of collagen, the protein of the fibrotic tissue, have been found to be useful for detecting these early stages. Assessment of glutamic dehydrogenase activity in the serum also provides some indication of the degree of inflammation and necrosis present in the liver, but not of the alcohol intake. The severity of the latter can be assessed with a variety of biological markers, to which circulating antibodies against acetaldehyde adducts have recently been added.