Diagnostic values of plasma matrix metalloproteinase-7, interleukin-8, and gamma-glutamyl transferase in biliary atresia

Biliary atresia (BA) is a severe cholestatic liver disease in children featuring cholestasis and liver fibrosis. The early diagnosis of BA is still challenging. This study aimed to evaluate the diagnostic values of matrix metalloprotease-7 (MMP-7), interleukin-8 (IL-8), and gamma-glutamyl transferase (GGT) in BA. Infants diagnosed with BA and non-BA between 2013 and 2018 were retrospectively analyzed. Plasma levels of MMP-7, IL-8, and GGT were measured in these infants. The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves and area under the ROC curve (AUC) were used to assess the diagnostic values of MMP-7, IL-8, and GGT. The expression of MMP-7 and IL-8 in the livers was detected by immunofluorescence staining. A total of 229 infants were enrolled in this study: 156 BA infants and 73 non-BA infants including 16 ones with infantile hepatitis syndrome. The plasma levels of MMP-7, IL-8, and GGT in BA infants had a median of 11.8 ng/mL (interquartile range, IQR: 5.3-57.5), 1.5 ng/mL (IQR: 1.0-2.8), and 381.0 U/L (IQR: 197.0-749.0), respectively, which were higher than non-BA subjects [MMP-7, 4.4 ng/mL (IQR: 3.3-6.1); IL-8, 0.7 ng/mL (IQR: 0.5-1.0); GGT, 59.0 U/L (IQR: 26.0-124.0)]. The AUC values of MMP-7, IL-8, and GGT for the diagnosis of BA were 0.8035, 0.8083, and 0.9126, respectively. The AUC values of MMP-7 + IL-8, MMP-7 + GGT, IL-8 + GGT, and MMP-7 + IL-8 + GGT for the diagnosis of BA were 0.8248, 0.9382, 0.9168, and 0.9392, respectively. The AUC values of MMP-7, IL-8, and GGT for differentiating BA infants with cholic stool from non-BA infants with cholic stool were 0.8006, 0.8258, and 0.9141, respectively. The expression of MMP-7 and IL-8 was increased in the cholangiocytes in BA livers. Conclusion: Plasma MMP-7, IL-8, and GGT alone or a combination of them has good accuracy to differentiate BA from non-BA and may be reliable biomarkers for BA. What is Known: • Biliary atresia (BA) is a severe cholestatic liver disease in children featuring cholestasis and progressive liver fibrosis. • Although early diagnosis of BA is crucial for good outcomes, it remains a clinical challenge. What is New: • Plasma MMP-7, IL-8, and GGT alone or a combination of them has good accuracy to differentiate BA from non-BA. • Plasma MMP-7, IL-8, and GGT have good accuracy for differentiating BA infants with cholic stool from non-BA infants with cholic stool.