“ASSESSMENT of SERUM TRANSFERRIN RECEPTORS AND BONE MARROW IRON IN HEPATITIS C ViRUS ASSOCIATED CHRONIC LIVER DISEASES”

Abstract

Chronic hepatitis C is a major health issue. A high proportion of

HCV infections are chronic. Si!,>nificant liver disease develops in up to l 50% of patients chronically infected with HCV. Pro!,rression of the \ disease is unpredictable but is typically slow and evolves over decades.

Little is known abou't the pathogenesis of liver damage related to

HCV infection. Recent stu!jies suggest that there is a key link between I iron metabolism and the pMhophysiology of viral hepatitis. To ascertain

whether HCV associated. liver damage might be mediated by iron accumulation. In the present work we asses serum Iron parameters by new and sensitive methods as senun transferrin receptors, and Bon marrow Iron stain inadition to ordinary tests in 44 patients with HCV antibody postive chronic liver disease (!,rroup I), 19 patients HCV antibody negative chronic liver disease !,YfOUp n, and 23 healthy individuals (!,YfOUp III)

As regards the serum Biochemical parameters of Iron, HCY positive antibody associated chronic liver disease patients had evidences of increased iron stores with firritin, iron levels and TIBC showing mild increase than the high nonnal values and transferrin receptors are decreased HCV negative 'chronic liver disease had nonnal senun Iron biochemical parameters.