The Difference of Hypoxic Inducible Factor-1α, Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor, and Transforming Growth Factor-β1 Based on Liver Fibrosis Severity in Patients with Chronic Hepatitis B

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Hepatitis B is a global health problem. The disease damages hepatocytes and creates tissue hypoxic condition. Hypoxia triggers production of several mediators such as hypoxic inducible factor (HIF)-1α, vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), and transforming growth factor (TGF)-β1. The mediators act in liver fibrosis and cirrhosis, and hepatocellular carcinoma.
 AIM: The objective of the study was to determine the difference in serum HIF-1α, VEGF, and TGF-β1 levels based on liver fibrosis severity in patients with chronic hepatitis B.
 MATERIALS AND METHODS: This cross-sectional study was performed in Haji Adam Malik Hospital Medan, Indonesia, from January to July 2020. Subjects were chronic hepatitis B patients aged 18 years or older. Exclusion criteria were other chronic diseases, malignancies, or pregnancy. Liver fibrosis was determined using shear wave elastography and categorized as follow: F1, F2, F3, and F4. Serum HIF-1α, VEGF, and TGF-β1 levels were measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Specimens were obtained from venous blood.
 RESULTS: A total of 63 patients were enrolled in this study with mean age of 40.3 (SD 11.69) years. Subjects were dominated by males (58.7%). There were no differences in serum HIF-1α, VEGF, and TGF-β1 levels based on liver fibrosis grading and also based on hepatitis B envelope antigen (HBeAg) status and gender. Associations between liver fibrosis grading, HBeAg, and gender were absent. There was a positive correlation between liver fibrosis severity and age (r = 0.311, p = 0.013).
 CONCLUSION: Serum HIF-1α, VEGF, and TGF-β1 levels were not different among chronic hepatitis B patients based on liver fibrosis severity.