Abstract
AbstractChronic Hepatitis B virus (HBV) is still one of the major reasons for liver related mortality and morbidity all around the world. This study aimed to investigate the possible relationship between the immune system activation and presence, as well as progression, of hepatitis B infection by monitoring the tryptophan degradation and serum neopterin levels in patients with HBV. 110 patients with HBV and 23 healthy subjects were included in the study. The patients had significantly higher neopterin levels and increased kynurenine to tryptophan ratios, which were most probably due to enhanced indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase (IDO) activity compared to healthy control. A strong positive correlation was found between neopterin levels and IDO activity in patient group. Neopterin levels and IDO activity were markedly increased in patients with histological activity index (HAI) ≥4 compared to HAI<4, and a significant correlation was found between neopterin and HAI. Moreover, there was a significant correlation between albumin levels and IDO activity in HBV patients. These findings suggest that tryptophan degradation results from IFN-γ-induced IDO activation, likewise depletion of albumin synthesis in HBV patients may result from diminished tryptophan availability. In conclusion, based on the study results, serum neopterin levels and IDO activity could provide additional immunological information for monitoring liver histological activity and can be used as prognostic markers in HBV disease.
Highlights
IntroductionChronic Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection, which is characterized by the presence of hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) for at least 6 months in blood plasma, is a dynamic process that reflects the interaction between HBV replication and host immune response
Hepatitis B virus (HBV) is still an important worldwide health concern
Patients with HBV infection were divided into subgroups according to their HbsAg, hepatitis B e-antigen (HbeAg), and HBV DNA levels
Summary
Chronic HBV infection, which is characterized by the presence of hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) for at least 6 months in blood plasma, is a dynamic process that reflects the interaction between HBV replication and host immune response. Not all chronic HBV infection patients have chronic hepatitis [2, 3]. HBV DNA 2000 IU/mL, ALT elevated, and liver disease moderate/severe); and (V) HBsAg negative phase. HBV DNA levels are used as a virus replication indicator, and serological indicators and ALT levels are used for the monitoring of chronic HBV infection. Quantitative HBsAg (qHBsAg) levels and HBV DNA levels were found to be correlated. Higher qHBsAg levels are correlated with the progression of cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma [4]
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