The Autoimmune Liver Disease panel is best for a patient with autoimmune hepatitis or chronic hepatitis, primary biliary cirrhosis, mitochondrial dysfunction, and disintegration. Since the presence of antibodies against actin and mitochondrial M2 antigen precedes the development of a somatic disease by more than ten years. The ability to identify the presence of markers of liver disease can contribute to earlier diagnosis and treatment and to slowing the progression of the disease.
Actin is a major component of smooth muscle. Anti-actin antibodies are usually directed against the actin component of the cytoskeleton, and are found in 52-85% of patients with autoimmune hepatitis or chronic active hepatitis, as well as in 22% of patients with primary biliary cirrhosis (PBC).
The mitochondrial (M2) antigen is part of the pyruvate dehydrogenase (PDH) complex of tightly organized polypeptides and cofactors. Anti-mitochondrial antibodies are also detected in patients with PBC.
Certain chemical xenobiotics used in different cosmetics and as food additives share homology with PDH and mitochondrial antigen, and thus mitochondrial antibodies may also be detected in the blood of individuals exposed to these chemicals.
This panel is beneficial for a wide variety of patients with the following:
1. Viral Infections, particularly EBV, and HHV-6, that cause mitochondrial disintegration
2. Exposure to toxicants, including some cosmetics that cause liver damage
3. Autoimmune disease
4. Chronic active hepatitis
5. Primary biliary cirrhosis
This panel detects autoimmune liver disease, autoimmune hepatitis, and primary biliary cirrhosis.