SERUM PROCOLLAGEN III PEPTIDE IS ELEVATED IN ADOLESCENTS WITH CHRONIC HEPATITIS C COMPARED TO HEALTHY CONTROLS

ABSTRACT The antiphospholipid syndrome (APS) is usually defined by the association of clinical manifestations that comprise venous and/or arterial thrombosis, recurrent fetal losses, and thrombocytopenia, along with the presence of anticardiolipin (aCL) antibodies and/or lupus anticoagulant. Various infectious diseases can induce aCL; however, these antibodies are not usually associated with thrombotic events, as happens with autoimmune diseases, in which these antibodies need the presence of β2-glycoprotein I. Levels of immunoglobulin G (IgG) and IgM aCL antibodies were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay for 243 patients with chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection and 100 healthy controls. Clinical events of APS, the level of β2-glycoprotein dependence of aCL, the presence of cryoglobulins and other autoantibodies, and cross-reactivity between purified aCL and HCV were evaluated. Positive results for aCL antibodies were found more frequently (3.3%) for the patients with HCV infection than for healthy controls (0%). All positive aCL antibodies were β2-glycoprotein I independent. No significant association was found between aCL antibodies and clinical manifestations of APS, neither was one found between the presence of other autoantibodies or cryoglobulins and that of aCL. Finally, no cross-reactivity between aCL antibodies and HCV antigens was observed. As previously reported, aCL antibodies seem to be an epiphenomenon, and they do not have clinical or laboratory significance in HCV patients.

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Dynamic Changes of the Frequency of Classic and Inflammatory Monocytes Subsets and Natural Killer Cells in Chronic Hepatitis C Patients Treated by Direct-Acting Antiviral Agents

Canadian Journal of Gastroenterology and Hepatology ◽

10.1155/2017/3612403 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 2017 ◽

pp. 1-8 ◽

Cited By ~ 11

Author(s):

Gang Ning ◽

Yi-ting Li ◽

You-ming Chen ◽

Ying Zhang ◽

Ying-fu Zeng ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Chronic Hepatitis ◽

Hepatitis C ◽

Nk Cells ◽

Chronic Hepatitis C ◽

Antiviral Agents ◽

Healthy Controls ◽

Direct Acting Antiviral ◽

Inflammatory Monocytes ◽

Direct Acting ◽

Direct Acting Antiviral Agents

Objective. Up to now, little was known about the immunological changes of chronic hepatitis C (CHC) patients treated with direct-acting antiviral agents (DAAs); we try to explore the effect of DAAs on the frequency of monocytes, NK cells, and cytokines that promote their activation. Methods. 15 treatment-naive CHC patients and 10 healthy controls were recruited. Patients were examined before DAAs therapy (0 w) and at week 4 (4 w) and week 12 (12 w) of therapy. Percentage of monocytes and NK cells of the peripheral blood was analyzed by flow cytometry. Serum cytokines IL-12, IL-18, CXCL10, CXCL11, sCD14, and sCD163 were measured by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay. Results. The frequency of CD3–CD16+CD56+ NK cells and classic CD14++CD16− monocytes decreased, while CD14+CD16+ monocytes and cytokines IL-12, IL-18, CXCL10, CXCL11, sCD14, and sCD163 increased at 0 w compared to healthy controls. During DAAs treatment, the decreased NK cells and classic monocytes gradually increased to normal levels; the increased inflammatory monocytes and cytokines IL-12 and CXCL11 decreased to normal levels, but the increased cytokines IL-18, CXCL10, sCD14, and sCD163 still remained at high levels at 12 w though they decreased rapidly from 0 w. Conclusion. Our results showed that DAAs treatment attenuated the activation of monocytes and NK cells in CHC patients. Trial registration number is NCT03063723.

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Insulin Resistance in Non Diabetic Chronic Hepatitis C patients

Journal of medical and pharmaceutical sciences - مجلة العلوم الطبية و الصيدلانية ◽

10.26389/ajsrp.m151217 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 1 (3) ◽

Author(s):

Mohamed S. Zaghlol, Mohamed T. Al-Sayed Ahmed Qasem Mohamed,

Keyword(s):

Insulin Resistance ◽

Liver Cirrhosis ◽

Chronic Hepatitis ◽

Hepatitis C ◽

Chronic Hepatitis C ◽

Serum Insulin ◽

Healthy Controls ◽

Fasting Serum ◽

Cirrhotic Patients ◽

Chronic Hepatitis C Patients

Patients with chronic hepatitis have impaired glucose metabolism with hyperinsulinemia and insulin resistance, this hyperinsulinemia has been shown to be due to decreased insulin catabolism rather than increased pancreatic insulin secretion.We aim to evaluate insulin resistance in non diabetic patients with chronic hepatitis C virus infection. our study was a case-control study conducted in Tropical Medicine and Gastroenterology Department AL-Azhar University Hospital. 60 patients and 30 healthy controls were included in the study. The patients were classified into two groups:Group A: 30 patients with chronic hepatitis C infection were selected with positive HCV RNA in serum for at least 6 months; Patients were not receiving anti-viral therapy at the time of sampling They showed no evidence of cirrhosis. Group B: 30 patients with HCV related liver cirrhosis. They were divided according to Child Pugh score; twenty patients with HCV related compensated liver cirrhosis (Child A) Ten patients with HCV related decompensated liver cirrhosis (Child B and C). Group C: The control group: included 30 healthy individuals. All patients and control were subjected to the following: Liver function tests: Alanine transaminase (ALT), Aspartate transaminase (AST), total and direct bilirubin, total protein, serum albumin. Prothrombin time (PT) & international normalization ratio (INR). Renal function tests: Blood urea nitrogen (BUN), Na, K. Complete blood count. Alpha fetoprotein (αFP). Overnight fasting and two hours postprandial blood glucose level. Fasting serum insulin of each individual. Insulin resistance was determined via the Homeostasis Model assessment (HOMA-IR) Statistical analysis of data will be done by using SPSS(statistical program for social science version22,produced by IBM SPSS Inc.,Chicago,USA). Results: We found that out of 30 CHC and 30 LC (20 compensated LC, 10 de compensated LC) 8 (26.7%); 8 (40%) patients and 5(50%) respectively had HOMA-IR levels greater than 2.5, which is consistent with IR diagnosis. Decompensated cirrhotic patients showed higher frequency of IR compared to CHC, and compensated cirrhotic patients. Coclusion: In chronic hepatitis C patients, HOMA-IR, fasting serum insulin and fasting blood glucose were significantly higher than healthy controls.

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Intestinal microbiota in patients with chronic hepatitis C with and without cirrhosis compared with healthy controls

Liver International ◽

10.1111/liv.13485 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 38 (1) ◽

pp. 50-58 ◽

Cited By ~ 29

Author(s):

Benjamin Heidrich ◽

Marius Vital ◽

Iris Plumeier ◽

Nico Döscher ◽

Silke Kahl ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Chronic Hepatitis ◽

Hepatitis C ◽

Chronic Hepatitis C ◽

Intestinal Microbiota ◽

Healthy Controls

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Inflammatory Biomarkers and Liver Histopathology in Non-Uremic and Uremic Chronic Hepatitis C Patients

Acta Medica (Hradec Kralove Czech Republic) ◽

10.14712/18059694.2017.96 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 60 (2) ◽

pp. 71-75 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Bengu Tatar ◽

Sukran Kose ◽

Emel Pala ◽

Erhan Tatar

Keyword(s):

Chronic Hepatitis ◽

Hepatitis C ◽

Chronic Hepatitis C ◽

Control Group ◽

Hcv Rna ◽

Healthy Controls ◽

Lymphocyte Ratio ◽

Apri Score ◽

Uremic Patients ◽

Esrd Patients

Background: The aim of this study is to investigate the association between hepatic activity index (HAI) and fibrosis score (FS) with inflammation biomarkers in non-uremic and uremic hepatitis C positive patients. Methods: Fifty chronic hepatitis C (cHepC) positive patients, having a liver biopsy were included in this study. Liver biopsies were scored according to modified ISHAC scoring system. 25 healthy controls of similar age and gender were also enrolled as control group. Serum YKL-40, neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio (NLR), thrombocyte/lymphocyte ratio (PLR), CRP and Immunoglobulin (IgG, A and M) levels were used to determine inflammation. AST to Platelet Ratio Index (APRI) score was also evaluated. According to biopsy findings patients were divided into 2 groups: low (0–2) and severe (3–6) FS. Results: Patients with cHepC had increased inflammation compared to the healthy controls. End-stage renal disease (ESRD) patients had higher levels of inflammation markers (NLR, IgG, CRP and YKL-40) and lower HCV RNA levels, HAI and FS compared to non-uremic patients. When patients were grouped into 2 according to FS as mild and severe, IgG (p < 0.001), YKL-40 (p = 0.02) levels and APRI score (p = 0.002) were significantly higher compared to mild FS (p = 0.002). YKL-40 levels (t value: 3.48; p = 0.001) and APRI score (t value: 4.57, p < 0.001) were found as independent associated with FS in non-uremic patients. However, in adjusted models, only APRI score (t value: 3.98, p = 0.002) was an independent associated with FS in ESRD patients. Conclusion: In non-uremic cHepC patients, YKL-40 levels and APRI score may be valuable markers of FS. In ESRD patients, there is not sufficient data for prediction of HAI and FS. In these patients, APRI score may provide better information.

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