A COMPARATIVE STUDY OF OXIDATIVE STRESS PARAMETERS IN HEPATITIS B VIRUS INFECTION & ALCOHOLIC HEPATITIS

Abstract

The liver has a critical role in metabolism, digestion, detoxification and elimination of substances from the body. Hence in diseased conditions, the products of free radicals from the liver increase which results in further damage to the vital organs. This study is done to compare the oxidative stress parameters in hepatitis B virus infected patients and alcoholic hepatitis patients. The study included 150 individuals (39 females) aged 25-75years of which the Group A included   normal healthy volunteers; Group B consisted of alcoholic hepatitis patients and Group C included hepatitis B patients. When compared to control, Erythrocyte MDA was significantly high and erythrocyte GSH was significantly low in both Group B and Group C where as Plasma Ascorbic Acid level & Serum α-Tocopherol were low in both the groups.  When group B and Group C were compared, MDA and GSH showed no significant difference (p>0.05) while α-Tocopherol and ascorbic acid levels varied significantly (p< 0.005).The liver enzymes were also significantly raised in both forms of Hepatitis, when compared to the control. The AST/ALT ratio was reversed (>1) in Group B (Alcoholic Hepatitis) as compared to Group C (Hepatitis B) and normal individuals (<1).  It is suggested that GSH, MDA in erythrocyte, Plasma Ascorbic Acid & Serum α-Tocopherol can be made an effective tool in assessing the progression of the liver disease for timely intervention.  Key words: Alcoholic Hepatitis, Ascorbic Acid, α-Tocopherol, Glutathione (GSH), Hepatitis B virus infection, Malondialdehyde (MDA).