Effect of Zinc and Vitamin D on T Helper 17 Cells in Chronic HCV Patients

Abstract

epatitis C virus infects primarily the hepatocytes, leading to the development of fibrosis or cirrhosis of the liver, and is a significant risk factor for the development of hepatocellular carcinoma. Previous studies have demonstrated that T cell immunoregulatory cytokines contribute to liver damage. Our study was conducted in Clinical Pathology Department, Faculty of Medicine, Ain Shams University. The study recruited 70 patients with chronic HCV infection, who were selected from outpatients and inpatients of Internal Medicine and Tropical Medicine Departments at Ain Shams University Hospitals.