Abstract: Objective　To investigate the change and clinical significance of serum cystatin C (Cys C) level in patients with liver cirrhosis and primary liver carcinoma (PLC). Methods　Serum Cys C levels were detected in 90 cases of liver cirrhosis， 153 cases of PLC and 95 cases of benign liver disease(liver hemangioma and hepatic cyst) as controls by latex particle enhanced immunoturbidimetry， while serum creatinine (SCr) and urea were detected by enzymic method. The differences of serum Cys C， SCr and urea levels and their relationship were analyzed between the groups. The Cys C, SCr and urea levels were analyzed according to the liver function ChildPugh grade. Results　Serum Cys C level was significantly higher in liver cirrhosis group ［(1.04±0.24) mg/L］ and PLC group ［(0.98±0.28) mg/L］ than that in control group ［(0.78±0.18) mg/L］， (P<0.001)， and the Cys C level in liver cirrhosis group was higher than that in PLC group (P<0.05). Serum SCr and urea levels in liver cirrhosis and PLC groups were also significantly higher than that in control group (P<0.05)， but there was no significant difference between liver cirrhosis and PLC groups. There was significant positive correlation between serum Cys C and SCr levels (liver cirrhosis group: r=0.407, PLC group: r=0.673 and control group: r=0.511, P<0.001). The abnormal rates of Cys C were significantly elevated in both liver cirrhosis and PLC groups than those of SCr and urea (P<0.001). Serum Cys C level was significantly higher in ChildPugh B+C group ［(1.12±0.21) mg/L］ than that in ChildPugh A group ［(0.99±0.25) mg/L］ among the liver cirrhosis group(P<0.05). Conclusions　Serum Cys C increases with the progression of liver disease and severity of liver failure， and it indicates early renal disfunction better than SCr and urea in patients with chronic liver disease.

Key words: Cystatin C, Creatinine, Urea, Liver cirrhosis, Primary liver carcinoma, Renal function