CTSZ and primary biliary cholangitis: In contrast to these results, there was no significant difference in serum cathepsin Z levels between early-stage CHC and late-stage CHC (data not shown), and levels were significantly lower in CHC (0.80 ± 1.07 ng/ml) than in late-stage and jaundice-stage PBC (P = 0.04 and P = 2.37 × 10−6, respectively).