Abstract
BAckground/Aims: In chronic hepatitis C, the expression of Fas antigen on hepatocytes is upregulated and Fas ligand expression is detected on liver-infiltrating mononuclear cells. Thus Fas antigen/Fas ligand-mediated apoptosis is thought be involved in hepatic injury in chronic hepatitis C. The soluble form of Fas antigen has been detected in serum and shown to inhibit Fas-mediated apoptosis. The present study was done to evaluate the relationship of serum soluble Fas antigen levels with disease activity. Methods: Serum soluble Fas antigen levels were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay for 68 chronic hepatitis C patients and compared with those in normal volunteers, chronic hepatitis B patients and autoimmune hepatitis patients. These levels were compared with histological activity, ALT leves, HCV-RNA titer and Fas expression on hepatocytes. Results: Serum soluble Fas antigen levels in chronic hepatitis C patients (3.24±1.55 ng/ml) were significantly higher than those in normal volunteers (1.70±1.01 ng/ml) ( p<0.01). They showed no difference from those in chronic hepatitis B or autoimmune hepatitis patients. Histologically, soluble Fas antigen levels showed correlation with the levels of liver inflammation ( p<0.01). However, no relationship was observed between serum soluble Fas antigen and serum ALT levels or HCV-RNA titer. Serum soluble Fas antigen levels showed correlation with the levels of Fas antigen expression in liver tissue ( p<0.05). Conclusions: These findings suggest that serum soluble Fas antigen may reflect the expression levels of Fas antigen on hepatocytes and the severity of liver inflammation in chronic hepatitis C.
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Disclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.