Nitric oxide level and CD3-ζ expression in response to Interferon- Ribavirin Therapy in chronic Hepatitis C Egyptian patients.

Abstract

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is one of the major causes of liver diseases all over the world; it is considered one of the leading causes of cirrhosis, hepatic failure and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in developed countries including Egypt. Since, the discovery of the virus, the main drug used in all antiviral protocols was interferon- α (IFN- α) but, which is not effective in 60% of these patients. The goal of this study was to measure nitric oxide synthase (NOS), and CD3-ζ in chronic HCV patients which could explain the failure from therapy. 5ml of peripheral blood were collected from 30 patients with chronic HCV infection and 10 healthy control volunteers. Patients were categorized in to responders and non-responders according to viral titre upon IFN-α treatment. CD3-ζ expression was measured in the peripheral blood by using flow_cytomery and NOS levels were assessed in the sera. Significant decreases (P˂0.001) in the expression of CD3-ζ in IFN-α non- responder was recorded when compared to responder patients and with healthy volunteers. In contrast, there were significant increases (P˂0.001) in the expression of NOS in IFN-α responder as compared to non-responder patients and healthy volunteers. Conclusion: these findings can be suggestedNitric oxide level and CD3-ζ expressionthat have immune suppressive function can be reversed and enhance responsive of HCV patients to interferon- α and ribavirin.