Estimation of Serum Hepcidin and Ferritin in Patients with Chronic Liver Disease

Abstract

Background: Hepatitis C virus affect iron metabolism leading to iron overload which associated with liver damage. Aim: estimation of the level of serum hepcidin and ferritin in chronic hepatitis C, cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma on top of hepatitis C. Methods: this study was conducted on 60 Egyptian patients (study group); Group I comprise 20 patients with chronic HCV infection, Group II comprise 20 patients with HCV cirrhosis, Group III comprise 20 patients with HCC due to HCV infection, and also, control group comprise 20 apparently healthy individuals. All patients and control were subjected to history taking, clinical examination, abdominal ultrasound, computed tomography on abdomen. Laboratory investigations include complete blood picture, renal function tests, liver function tests, and viral hepatitis marker. Antinuclear antibody, Alpha-fetoprotein, serum iron, serum ferritin and serum hepcidin. Results: There was highly significant decreased in S. iron level in group I, II and III in comparison to control group (p=0.000). There was highly significant increase in S. Ferritin level in group II and group III in comparison to control group and in group III in comparison to group I. Also, there was significant increase in S. Ferritin level in group II in comparison to group I. There was highly significant decrease in S. hepcidin level in group II and group III in comparison to control group, in group II and group III in comparison to group I and in group III in comparison to group II. S. Hepcidin has highly significant negative correlation with S. ferritin in group I, II and III. Conclusion: Low levels of serum iron, ferritin and hepcidine were observed in HCV cirrhotic and HCC compared to control group.