Assessment of the serum CD14 and TIMP-1 levels as noninvasive markers of liver fibrosis in chronic hepatitis C patients

Abstract

The present study was conducted to analyze the association of serum CD14, TIMP-1 and TGF-β1 levels with the histological stages of fibrosis in hepatic tissue of HCV patients to be used as an alternative way to liver biopsy. The current study included eighty five (n=85) volunteers classified into two groups: group one included (n=15) of normal and healthy people served as control group, group two included (n=70) of untreated HCV patients with liver fibrosis (well compensated, Child A, Child–Pugh Classification). This group was divided into 4 subgroups according to the degree of fibrosis (F1, F2, F3, and F4). All patients, ages range between 40-56 years, were with clinical, biochemical and sonographical criteria of chronic liver disease (Child A), Non- obese (BMI <30), Positive serology for HCV antibody and HCV vireamia, Liver biopsy showing chronic hepatitis. All patients with other causes of liver disease (e.g. HBV, alcohol, autoimmunity or hemochromatosis ), HIV infection, or with severe internal diseases (e.g. cancer, ischemic heart disease, autoimmune disease) were excluded.