Elemental analysis of erythrocytes in patients with chronic liver diseases positive for hepatitis C virus

2015 ◽  
Vol 25 (01n02) ◽  
pp. 65-72
Author(s):  
Takeaki Nagamine ◽  
Tetsuhiro Kasamatsu ◽  
Kazuhiro Murakami ◽  
Masashi Kohka ◽  
Takahiro Satoh ◽  
...  

The present study aimed to evaluate the relationship between elemental changes in erythrocytes and hepatogenous anemia. Five chronic hepatitis C, five liver cirrhosis (HCV positive) and three healthy controls were enrolled in this study. Using in-air micro-PIXE, we determined that K rods formed small nodule and Cl rods distributed diffusely in all over erythrocytes, resulting in disappearance of the donut-like pattern of erythrocytes. These findings may reect the alternation of ery- throcyte membrane structures. Fe dots were divided into two to four compartments in erythrocytes of control group, and the similar distribution of Fe rods was shown in those of chronic hepatitis and liver cirrhosis. Na concentrations analyzed by in-vacuum PIXE were significantly higher in liver cirrhosis than in chronic hepatitis and control, possibly because of the disturbance of Na–K pump. Present study suggests that the alternation of erythrocyte membrane and Na–K pump failure may participate in hepatogenous anemia accompanied with liver cirrhosis.

2014 ◽  
Vol 2014 ◽  
pp. 1-7 ◽  
Author(s):  
Simone Regina Souza da Silva Conde ◽  
Luciana L. Rocha ◽  
Vanessa M. Ferreira ◽  
Julius Caesar Mendes Soares Monteiro ◽  
Nathália Karla Fonseca Filgueiras ◽  
...  

Objective. The present study investigated the prevalence of the IL-28B polymorphisms rs12979860 and rs8099917 in chronic hepatitis B patients from a case study in Eastern Amazonia.Methods. In total, 65 chronically infected HBV patients and 97 healthy subjects who were anti-HBc and anti-HBs positive (control group) were evaluated between May 2011 and December 2012. The groups of patients were designated as inactive carriers, chronic hepatitis without cirrhosis, and chronic hepatitis with cirrhosis based on clinical, pathological, biochemical, hematological, and virological variables. The patients were genotyped using quantitative real-time PCR.Results. The frequencies of the rs12979860 polymorphism were similar between the infected group (32.3% CC, 41.5% CT, and 26.2 TT) and the control population (35% CC, 47.4% CT, and 17.6% TT), and the frequencies of the rs8099917 polymorphism (7.7% GG, 35.4% GT, and 56.9% TT versus 7.2% GG, 35.1% GT, and 57.7% TT) were also similar in both groups. The associations between the rs12979860 and rs8099917 polymorphisms and the clinical manifestations were not statistically significant.Conclusion. In conclusion, these polymorphisms had a similar distribution between infected and control groups, indicating that they were not associated with susceptibility and the clinical evolution of hepatitis B in the examined population.


2017 ◽  
Vol 1 (1) ◽  

Autophagy plays an important role in the pathogenesis of many diseases. However, its role is still unclear. we investigate the mRNA expression of Beclin-1 (major autophagic agent), pro-apoptotic agents (Bad, Bax), and anti-apoptotic agents (Bcl-2, Bcl-xL) in blood samples withdrawn from Genotype 4 HCV-infected patients with different stages of hepatic fibrosis. The study was a retrospective one that included 30 healthy people (Control Group), 64 chronic hepatitis C patients with early hepatic fibrosis stages [grade 0 and 1 fibrosis] (F0-1 Group), and 36 chronic hepatitis C patients with Late hepatic fibrosis stages [grade 2 and 3 fibrosis] (F2-3 Group). qPCR was used to measure mRNA expression in the samples. Beclin-1, Bad, and Bax mRNA expression in F0-1 Group were significantly higher than both F2-3 Group and Control Group (P<0.001). While Bcl-2, and Bcl-xL mRNA expression in F0-1 Group were significantly lower than both F2-3 Group and Control Group (P<0.001). Beclin-1, Bad, and Bax mRNA expression were increased at the early stages of hepatic fibrosis in HCV patients, and were declined as the fibrosis progressed to more advanced stages, while Bcl-2, and Bcl-xL mRNA expression were increased as fibrosis progresses. This shows that Autophagy has an important role in the early stages of hepatic fibrosis in Genotype 4 HCV patients. These findings provide an insight into the pathogenesis of chronic HCV infection, and the effect of autophagy on liver fibrosis. This may be used to provide possible biomarkers and contribute to a new therapeutic approach.


QJM ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 114 (Supplement_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Mohamed Abd Elmaghny Moustafa ◽  
Zainab Ahmed Ahmed Ali- Eldin ◽  
Nevine Ibrahim Musa ◽  
Milad Emad Milad

Abstract Background HCC is the third deadliest and fifth most common cancer worldwide, despite the widespread use of surveillance programs in at risk populations, more than half of HCC cases are diagnosed late, and curative therapies such as surgical resection, radiofrequency ablation or TACE are possible in less than 30% of patients. Objective To assess the value of plasma cyclase-associated protein 2 level in diagnosis of hepatocellular carcinoma among the Egyptian patients with chronic hepatitis c virus. Patients and Methods This study has been carried out in the department of Internal Medicine and Gastroenterology in Ain Shams University Hospitals and Manshiet El-Bakry general hospital, Department of Gastrohepatology. This study evaluate the significance of Plasma CAP2 level as a new diagnostic marker for HCC patients with post hepatitis C liver cirrhosis where (80) persons, divided into three groups; Group A included (30) patients with post hepatitis C liver cirrhosis without HCC, Group B included (40) patients with post hepatitis C liver cirrhosis and HCC, and Group C included (10) healthy subjects as a control group. Results In this study CAP2 was significantly higher in HCC group than in cirrhotic and control groups (p &lt; 0.001) with mean levels (30.7±12.4), (14.4±7.6), and (6.9±4.3) ng/ml respectively although in HCC patients with negative or low AFP levels. This finding could imply the role of CAP2 in diagnosing early and AFP negative HCC patients. Conclusion CAP2 is significantly elevated in HCC group than in cirrhotic and control groups with better sensitivity and specificity than AFP at cut off values ≥15.9 ng/ml and ≥53.2 ng/ml respectively. Such results support using of CAP2 as a better diagnostic marker for HCC. AFP and CAP-2 were higher in multiple lesions than in single lesions, but the differences were significant only in CAP-2 with ≥27.3 ng/ml in differentiating multiple from solitary lesions Considering the HCC if both of them were positive decreased sensitivity but had perfect specificity.


Author(s):  
Rehab Badawi ◽  
Shaimaa Soliman ◽  
Lobna Aboali ◽  
Mahmoud Elkadeem ◽  
Asem Elfert ◽  
...  

Background & Aims: This study aimed to assess the changes in platelet counts of patients with liver cirrhosis due to chronic HCV, who achieved sustained virological response (SVR) after taking direct acting antivirals (DAAs) in a large cohort study in Egypt. Methods: This multicenter observational retrospective study was carried out on 2500 chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infected patients who achieved (SVR) after treatment with direct acting antiviral drugs (DAA). HCV infection was confirmed by positive PCR for HCV RNA infection. SVR was defined as a negative PCR test for HCV-RNA 12 weeks after completion of DAA therapy. Platelets count was measured before therapy, during therapy, at the end of treatment, and 12 weeks after the end of the treatment. Results: There were 2186 patients enrolled in the study; 1866 (85.4%) were treatment naïve. There were 1006 (46%) males and 1180 (54%) females. Mean age was 50.82± 11.66 years, 2142 (98 %.0) patients achieved SVR, 2118 (96.9%) patients had Child -Pugh class A cirrhosis, and 68 (3.1%) had Child -Pugh class B liver cirrhosis. A significant increase of the platelets count was detected at the end of treatment in comparison to the pretreatment levels (P<0.001), and after achieving SVR (P <0.001) when compared to the pretreatment values. Conclusion: Improvement of platelets count occurs after HCV therapy with DAAS in patients with liver cirrhosis. These results suggested that HCV eradication may have a role in improvement of platelet count.


Viruses ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (6) ◽  
pp. 1103
Author(s):  
Keyla Santos Guedes de Sá ◽  
Ednelza da Silva Graça Amoras ◽  
Simone Regina Souza da Silva Conde ◽  
Maria Alice Freitas Queiroz ◽  
Izaura Maria Vieira Cayres-Vallinoto ◽  
...  

An inefficient immune response against the hepatitis C virus (HCV), combined with viral evasion mechanisms, is responsible for the chronicity of infection. The need to evaluate the innate mechanisms of the immune response, such as TLR3 and IFN-λ3, and their relationship with the virus–host interaction is important for understanding the pathogenesis of chronic hepatitis C. The present study aimed to investigate the gene expressions of TRL3 and IFNL3 in liver tissue, seeking to evaluate whether these could be potential biomarkers of HCV infection. A total of 23 liver biopsy samples were collected from patients with chronic HCV, and 8 biopsies were collected from healthy control patients. RNA extraction, reverse transcription and qPCR were performed to quantify the relative gene expressions of TLR3 and IFNL3. Data on the viral load; AST, ALT, GGT and AFP levels; and the viral genotype were collected from the patients′ medical records. The intrahepatic expression of TLR3 (p = 0.0326) was higher in chronic HCV carriers than in the control group, and the expression of IFNL3 (p = 0.0037) was lower in chronic HCV carriers than in the healthy control group. The expression levels of TLR3 (p = 0.0030) and IFNL3 (p = 0.0036) were higher in the early stages of fibrosis and of necroinflammatory activity in the liver; in contrast, TLR3 and IFNL3 expressions were lower in the more advanced stages of fibrosis and inflammation. There was no correlation between the gene expression and the serum viral load. Regarding the initial METAVIR scale scores, liver transaminase levels were lower in patients with advanced fibrosis when correlated with TLR3 and IFNL3 gene expressions. The results suggest that in the early stages of the development of hepatic fibrosis, TLR3 and IFN-λ3 play important roles in the antiviral response and in the modulation of the tolerogenic liver environment because there is a decrease in the intrahepatic expressions of TLR3 and IFNL3 in the advanced stages of fibrosis, probably due to viral evasion mechanisms.


2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Camilla Rodrigues de Almeida Ribeiro ◽  
Nathalia Alves Araújo de Almeida ◽  
Katrini Guidolini Martinelli ◽  
Marcia Amendola Pires ◽  
Carlos Eduardo Brandao Mello ◽  
...  

Abstract Background The hepatitis B virus (HBV) is one of the leading causes of acute, chronic and occult hepatitis (OBI) representing a serious public health threat. Cytokines are known to be important chemical mediators that regulate the differentiation, proliferation and function of immune cells. Accumulating evidence indicate that the inadequate immune responses are responsible for HBV persistency. The aim of this study were to investigate the cytokines IFN-γ, TNF-α, IL-2, IL-4, IL-6, IL-10 and IL-17A in patients with OBI and verify if there is an association between the levels of these cytokines with the determination of clinical courses during HBV occult infection. Methods 114 patients with chronic hepatitis C were investigated through serological and molecular tests, the OBI coinfected patients were subjected to the test for cytokines using the commercial human CBA kit. As controls, ten healthy donors with no history of liver disease and 10 chronic HBV monoinfected patients of similar age to OBI patients were selected. Results Among 114 HCV patients investigated, 11 individuals had occult hepatitis B. The levels of cytokines were heterogeneous between the groups, most of the cytokines showed higher levels of production detection among OBI/HCV individuals when compared to control group and HBV monoinfected pacients. We found a high level of IL-17A in the HBV monoinfected group, high levels of TNF-α, IL-10, IL-6, IL-4 and IL-2 in OBI/HCV patients. Conclusion These cytokines could be involved in the persistence of HBV DNA in hepatocytes triggers a constant immune response, inducing continuous liver inflammation, which can accelerate liver damage and favor the development of liver cirrhosis in other chronic liver diseases.


2016 ◽  
Vol 51 (4) ◽  
pp. 277-284
Author(s):  
Łukasz Kraszula ◽  
Makandjou-Ola Eusebio ◽  
Anna Jasińska ◽  
Maciej Kupczyk ◽  
Piotr Kuna ◽  
...  

The aim of this study was evaluation whether there is an association between BMI, leptin and its soluble receptor, the expression of FoxP3 in CD4+ pTreg in women with severe asthma. Materials and methods. The study included thirty women with asthma: 17 patients with severe and 13 with mild-moderate disease. The control group comprised of 25 healthy women. Asthma was diagnosed in accordance with the Global Initiative For Asthma guidelines (GINA 2014). The phenotype of CD4+CD25highCD127lowFoxp3+CD152+ cells was evaluated by multicolor flow cytometry. The concentration of leptin and its soluble receptor were determined using an immunoenzymatic method (ELISA). Results. It has been shown significantly increased leptin concentration in the group of women with severe asthma compared with mild-moderate asthma and control group (p <0.05). The concentration of the leptin receptor significantly increased (p <0.05) in women with severe asthma compared with control group. There were no differences in percentage of CD4+FoxP3+ and CD4+CD25highCD127low- FoxP3+CD152+ subsets after leptin stimulation in all tested groups. Conclusions. Our results don’t confirm the direct effect of leptin on the CD4+ pTreg cells and the expression of FoxP3 in these cells, in tested groups.


Author(s):  
Chidiebere Uchenna Iheka ◽  
Justice Obinna Osuoha ◽  
Idongesit Ekong Archibong ◽  
Peter Uchenna Amadi ◽  
Oluwatoyin Taiwo Adeoti

Variations in liver metabolism as a result of hepatitis C virus have been established by numerous clinical trials. The use of antioxidants supplements has been reported to minimize the implication of this disease. In this regard, we examined the suitability of Solanum fruit juice, a natural source of vitamin C and citrus flavoniod as a precursor for the treatment of patients with chronic hepatitis C. Forty adult patients who were diagnosed with chronic hepatitis C and were under antiviral therapy were divided into two equal groups. Group 1 patients received their antiviral therapy with normal food and water and served as the control group while patients in group 2 were supplemented with Solanum fruit juice for eight consecutive weeks. Measurements for Anthropometric data, C reactive protein (CRP), atherogenic indices, biochemical parameters and activities of liver marker enzymes were recorded before and after eight weeks. No alterations were found in waist circumference, body mass and body fat following regular use of Solanum fruit juice. The serum levels of oxidative stress markers, LDL-cholesterol, total cholesterol, CRP and atherogenic indices decreased in the Solanum fruit juice group when compared to the control group. Moreover, the activities of the liver marker enzyme AST decreased in those who had high levels before the intervention. These results underscore the benefits of Solanum fruit juice in the diet of patients with HCV as a result of decreased cholesterol in blood serum, decreased inflammation, and increase in antioxidant capacity as well as maintaining body mass index. This clinical trial is registered at Pan African Clinical Trial Registry (www.pactr.org) with unique identification number PACTR201802003092138.


2007 ◽  
Vol 135 (9-10) ◽  
pp. 541-546
Author(s):  
Vesna Miranovic

Introduction Ventricular septal defect (VSD) is an opening in the interventricular septum. 30-50% of patients with congenital heart disease have VSD. Objective The aim of the study was to determine the dependence of the left ventricular diastolic dimension (LVD), left ventricular systolic dimension (LVS), shortening fraction (SF), left atrium (LA), pulmonary artery truncus (TPA) on the body surface and compare their values among experimental, control and a group of healthy children. Values of maximal systolic gradient pressure (Pvsd) of VSD were compared with children from one experimental and control group. Method Children were divided into three groups: experimental (32 children with VSD that were to go to surgery), control (20 children with VSD who did not require surgery) and 40 healthy children. Measurements of LVD, LVS, SF, LA, TPA were performed in accordance to recommendations of the American Echocardiographic Association. The value of Pvsd was calculated from the maximal flow velocity (V) in VSD using the following formula: Pvsd=4xV? (mm Hg). Results For children from the experimental group, the relationship between the body surface and the variability of the LVD was explained with 56.85%, LVS with 66.15%, SF with 4.9%, TPA with 58.92%. For children from the control group, the relationship between the body surface and the variability of LVD was explained with 88.8%, LVS with 72.5%, SF with 0.42%, PA with 58.92%. For healthy children, the relationship between the body surface and the variabilitiy of the LVD was explained with 88.8%, LVS with 88.78%, SF with 5.25% and PA with 84.75%. There was a significant statistical difference between average values of Pvsd in the experimental and control group (p<0.02). Conclusion The presence of the large VSD has an influence on the enlargement of LVD, LVS, SF, TPA. The enlargement of the size of the pulmonary artery depends on the presence of VSD and there is a direct variation in the magnitude of the shunt. There is a relationship and significant dependence of the LVS and LVD on the body surface. There is no statistically significant dependence between SF and body surface.


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