Evaluation of the Role of Different Apo lipoprotein-E Genotypes in the Outcome of Treatment by Interferon and Ribavirin in Egyptian Hepatitis C Patients

Abstract

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is a major global health problem. More than 170 million people worldwide are infected with HCV which is a causative agent of chronic hepatitis, liver cirrhosis, and hepatocellular carcinoma. In Egypt, HCV prevalence is ~15%, which is considered the highest prevalence worldwide. There are several possible outcomes after infection with hepatitis C virus (HCV).Approximately 15% to 20% of infected individuals clear the virus, as evidenced by the presence of anti-HCV antibodies, but absence of viral RNA in serum. The remaining individuals (~85%) become chronically infected, with HCV RNA readily detectable in serum. At least 6 major HCV genotypes are identified. However, infection with a particular genotype is not thought to influence disease outcome. Alternatively, host factors may be important. Some factors include male sex, an older age at infection, increased alcohol intake, coinfection with Human Immunodeficiency Virus 1(HIV-1) or Hepatitis B virus and insulin resistance. Summary 164 HCV particles circulating in the blood of HCV carriers associate with lipoproteins, such as low-density lipoproteins (LDL), very low density lipoproteins (VLDL) and chylomicrons; thus, it is termed a lipo-viro particle (LVP). Several lipoproteins groups contain Apo lipoprotein- E (ApoE), a polymorphic and multifunctional protein with numerous roles in lipoproteins metabolism. The three common isoforms apoE2, apoE3 and apoE4 show isoformspecific functional properties including different susceptibilities to diseases. So this study was carried out on 50 Egyptian patients with HCV infection selected from Internal Medicine and Hepatology outpatient clinic at Kafr Elsheikh hepatology center, they were divided according to the rapid virological respons [RVR]to 25patients responder and 25 patients non-responder to treatment. Aiming to evaluate of the role of different Apo lipoprotein-E genotypes in the outcome of treatment by interferon and Ribavirin in Egyptian hepatitis C patients. Summary 165