Background and Aims: Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a silent disease; its spectrum includes simple steatosis, nonalcoholic steatohepatitis and fibrosis. Pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines play roles in the pathogenesis of NAFLD and insulin resistance (IR). Moreover, plasma cell antigen-1 (PC-1) is related to IR and associated with NAFLD progression. Therefore, we aimed to detect biomarkers, ultrasonographic and anthropometric findings capable of differentiating NAFLD grades, since most previous investigators were concerned more with NAFLD patients without classifying them into grades.Methods: A total of 87 NAFLD patients (31 with grade 1 (mild NAFLD), 26 with grade 2 (moderate NAFLD) and 30 with grade 3 (severe NAFLD) were included in the study, in addition to 47 controls (grade 0). All subjects underwent ultrasonographic examination for NAFLD diagnosis. Serum interleukin-10 (IL-10), plasma interleukin-18 (IL-18) and plasma PC-1 levels were determined using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.Results: Homoeostasis model assessment (HOMA)-IR was higher in different NAFLD grades than in controls. Ultrasonographic and anthropometric findings and lipid profile indices (except for high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, which was decreased) were increased with NAFLD progression. Grade 3 patients showed significant increase in levels of IL-18 and significant decrease in IL-10 and PC-1 levels when compared to grade 1 patients.Conclusion: Anthropometric and ultrasonographic findings were valuable in differentiating NAFLD grades. IR is very important in NAFLD pathogenesis. IL-18, HOMA-index and PC-1 levels could be used to differentiate between NAFLD grades, together with other measurements.
Background &Aims:
The clinical value of alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) as a marker to
detect early hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) has been questioned owing to its low sensitivity and
specificity. The purpose of this work was to investigate whether serum Wnt/β-catenin and DKK1
levels in chronic hepatitis C patients could be used as early predictors for the risk of HCC
development.
Methods:
The study was conducted on 37 healthy controls, and 150 CHC patients were divided
into three groups: CHC, liver cirrhosis (LC), and HCC patients. AFP, AFP-L3, β-catenin, and
DKK-1 were assayed by ELISA.
Results:
Both β-catenin and DKK1 levels significantly increased (p < 0.001) in the HCC group in
comparison to LC and CHC groups. The first cut-off value for DKK-1 was 253 pg/ml with 88%
sensitivity and 86% specificity. The second was 301.5 pg/ml with 82 percent sensitivity and
100% specificity. The β-catenin cut-off value was 7.35 ng/ml with 80% sensitivity and 74%
specificity. A positive correlation was observed between DKK-1 and β-catenin (r=0.491), DKK-1
and tumor size (r =0.616), and β-catenin and tumor size (r =0.472).
Conclusion:
DKK-1 and β-catenin may serve as predictors for the progression of CHC and LC
into HCC.
Polymorphisms of genes encoding enzymes involved in float metabolism have long been hypothesized to be maternal risk factors for autism. In addition to genetic background, the exposure to mercury whether organic or inorganic can give rise to the symptoms of autism spectrum disorders (ASD) such as impairments in social interaction, communication difficulties and repetitive behaviors and interests. Our objective was to investigate the association between metallothionein (MT) gene polymorphism and levels of mercury in the hair of Egyptian autistic children. Thirty-one autistic children diagnosed by DSM-IV (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 4 th Edition criteria) were subjected to hair mercury measurement using Atomic Absorption Spectrometry (AAS) and were compared to polymorphism of genes MT1A and MT1E matched healthy children. The present study revealed that there was a highly significant increase in the mean hair mercury level in autistic patients than controls (0.79±0.56) ppm vs. (0.13±0.08) P<0.001 associated with polymorphism in MT1A (AG genotype). There was high significant difference in MT1E (GG genotype) between males and females (P<0.001) while in control were non significant.The results of this study highly support the increase in the mean hair mercury level in autistic children compared to controls.
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