Chakraborty D, et al. - In this case-control study, researchers determined the effect of cirrhosis on concentrations of serum Beta-Trace Protein [BTP, a promising marker of glomerular filtration rate (GFR)]. Patients with a diagnosis of cirrhosis were included and those who were dialysis dependent or had known acute kidney injury were excluded. Control subjects consisted of patients attending renal clinics who had blood work done in clinic as part of routine clinical care. No differences were observed in BTP/cystatin C (cysC) ratios between cases and controls for the entire cohort or for any of the Child Pugh categories. The BTP/creatinine (Cr) ratios differed significantly between cases and controls. Overall, no impact of hepatic dysfunction on serum BTP levels was seen. This study argues against a significant role for the liver in BTP metabolism.