Transcriptome analysis of liver samples from alcoholic hepatitis patients

Hepatic gene expression profiling was assessed by DNA microarray of samples from both patients with alcoholic hepatitis (n=15) and from normal livers (n=7).

All patients had histologically diagnosed alcoholic hepatitis. Patients with malignancies or any other potential cause of liver disease were excluded from the study. Liver biopsies were obtained using a transjugular approach.

Normal liver fragments were obtained from optimal cadaveric liver donors (n=3) or from individuals undergoing resection of liver metastases (n=4). All controls had normal serum aminotransferase levels and normal liver histology. Samples obtained during resection of liver metastasis were obtained at a minimum distance of 5 cm from the tumor.