ACLF is characterized by a decline of liver function in patients with pre-existing chronic liver disease. Without liver transplantation, the mortality rate for ACLF patients is high.

Study Design

This study included 124 participants. Healthy patients as well as patients with ACLF, liver cirrhosis, and acute liver failure (ALF) were included in the study. Plasma SOD levels were detected using an ELISA commercial kit. Investigators utilized the Kaplan–Meier method for survival analysis.

Results and Conclusions

Investigators found that patients with ACLF had significantly higher plasma SOD levels than healthy patients and patients with liver cirrhosis. However, there was not a statistically significant difference in plasma SOD levels between ACLF patients and ALF patients. A plasma SOD level > 428 U/mL was associated with a significant increase in the likelihood of death or liver transplantation in ACLF patients. The combination of plasma SOD levels and MELD score was superior to either method alone at predicting the severity and prognosis of ACLF patients. 

Related Research

Consider these findings from similar research studies:

• Patients with acute liver failure have significantly increased SOD levels (Source). 

• Plasma SOD level is a predictive tool for hepatitis E virus-induced-ACLF patient outcomes (Source).