A total of 112 obese individuals were included (BMI = 41.9 ± 4.3 kg/m2), with a mean age of 34.7 ± 7.4 years; 68.6% were women. CC was reported by 72.3% of patients. There were no statistical significant differences between groups regarding the presence of IR (84.8% vs. 74.2% vs. 75.9%; p = 0.536). Progressively higher percentages of individuals with normal liver histology were observed (14.7% vs. 21.9% vs. 24.3%). NASH (65.7% vs. 70.3% vs. 57.5%) were observed among those who consumed greater coffee volumes (p = 0.812). In conclusion, obese individuals with elevated CC exhibited lower frequencies of NASH, although with no statistical significance in this sample.

The associaTion between chronic hepatitis C (HCV) infection and thyroid autoimmune disorders (AITD) is controversial, but may occur or worsen during alpha-interferon treatment [1]. A large study observed slightly increased risk for thyroiditis in HCV-infected patients (hazard ratio = 1.06, 95% CI = 1.01-1.11) [2] and a recent review suggested a weak association in comparisons to hepatitis B (HBV) infected and control populations (odds ratio = 1.6, 95% CI=1.4-1.9). The authors suggested that differences in geographical distribution, genetic variability and environmental cofactors abstract. Association between autoimmune thyroid diseases (AITD) and hepatitis C is controversial, but may occur or worsen during alpha-interferon treatment. The mechanism responsible for autoimmune diseases in infected patients has not been fully elucidated. This study aims to evaluate the frequency of AITD in chronic hepatitis C and the association of chemokine (CXC motif) ligand 10 (CXCL10) and AITD. One hundred and three patients with chronic hepatitis C and 96 controls were prospectively selected to clinical, hormonal, thyroid autoimmunity and ultrasound exams, besides thyroxinebinding globulin (TBG) and CXCL10 measurements and hepatic biopsies. The frequency of AITD among infected subjects was similar to controls. TT3 and TT4 distributions were right shifted, as was TBG, which correlated to both of them. Thyroid heterogeneity and hypoechogenicity were associated with AITD. Increased vascularization was more prevalent in chronic hepatitis C.CXCL10 was higher in infected patients (p=0.007) but was not related to thyroid dysfunction. Increase in CXCL10 levels were consistent with hepatic necroinflammatory activity (p=0.011). In summary, no association was found between chronic hepatitis C and AITD. Infected subjects had higher TT3 and TT4 which were correlated to TBG. Increased CXCL10 was not associated to thyroid dysfunction in HCV-infected population.

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CTLA-4 gene polymorphisms were associated to HCV-infection. Eight AT repetitions were more prevalent in HCV-infected subjects. -318C and + 49G alleles were associated to genotypes 1 and 3 infections and increased number of AT repetitions in 3'UTR region favoured severe necroinflammatory activity scores in liver biopsies.

Objective: In liver diseases, hyperferritinemia (HYF) is related to injured cells in acquired and genetic conditions with or without iron overload. It is frequent in patients with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), in which it is necessary to define the mean of HYF to establish the better approach for them. The present study evaluated the significance of elevated ferritin in patients with NAFLD and steatohepatitis (NASH). Method: The review was performed using search instruments of indexed scientific material, including MEDLINE (by PubMed), Web of Science, IBECS and LILACS, to identify articles published in Portuguese, English and Spanish, from 2005 to May, 2016. Studies eligible included place and year of publication, diagnose criteria to NAFLD, specifications of serum ferritin measurements and/or liver histopathologic study. Exclusion criteria included studies with patients with alcohol consumption ≥ 20 g/day and other liver diseases. Results: A total of 11 from 30 articles were selected. It included 3,564 patients and they were cross-sectional, retrospective, case series and case-control. The result's analyses showed in 10 of these studies a relationship between ferritin elevated serum levels and NAFLD/NASH with and without fibrosis and insulin resistance. Conclusion: Hyperferritinemia in patients with NAFLD/NASH is associated more frequently with hepatocellular injury than hemochromatosis. These data suggest the relevance to evaluate carefully HYF in patients with NAFLD/NASH to establish appropriate clinical approach.

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