BackgroundAlpha-Glutathione S-transferase (α-GST) is a liver enzyme which showed properties making it useful in assessment of liver cell damage. A number of studies demonstrated its early elevation in different hepatic insults, but its pattern in HCV was controversial. Consequently, we planned this work to study the significance of Serum Alpha-Glutathione S-Transferase (α-GST) assessment in hepatitis C patients with different alanine aminotransferase (ALT) patterns.MethodsSixty-five untreated male patients with history of hepatitis C virus (HCV) positive antibodies and 21 healthy age- and sex-matched control subjects were enrolled in this study. Sera were collected for confirmation of the presence of HCV antibodies (by ELISA) as well as for assessment of the levels of α-GST, ALT, aspartate aminotransferase, alkaline phosphatase, gamma glutamyl-transferase, total proteins, albumin and HCV RNA. HCV RNA was detected by the reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Based on ALT level, patients were divided into three groups. Twelve patients with normal ALT levels (NALT), 29 with near normal ALT levels (NNALT), and 24 with high ALT levels (HALT). All data were statistically analyzed for significance and correlation as well as sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive values.ResultsThe mean value of α-GST in HCV patients was significantly higher compared to the control with 82% sensitivity, 85% specificity, 98% positive predictive value and 63% negative predictive value. These results were more or less similar to the results of ALT and higher than the results of all the other assayed liver function tests. The sensitivity, and positive and negative predictive values of α-GST were lower than aminotransferases, but higher than the other assayed liver function tests in NNALT and HALT groups. Nevertheless, in NALT, these parameters were higher for α-GST than all the other assayed liver function tests including aminotransferases.ConclusionsAssay of α-GST has an adjuvant in evaluation of liver cell damage in HCV patients. However, its role is much more valuable in patients with normal aminotransferases for early detection of liver cell damage.

Background: Natural killer group 2 type D (NKG2D), an activating receptor expressed on Natural Killer (NK), is a type II transmembrane glycoprotein. Normally, the function of NK cells is the eradication of infected or distorted cells and prevention of autoimmunity. The abnormal expression of NKG2D ligands has been found to increase the susceptibility to different autoimmune disorders, including rheumatoid arthritis, multiple sclerosis and autoimmune diabetes mellitus. Aim: to assess the association of NKG2D polymorphism in Egyptian SLE patients dwelling Suez Canal region and its potential clinical correlation. Patients and Methods: NKG2D polymorphism was assessed by using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) in 50 SLE patients and 50 healthy controls and the results were analyzed using allelic discrimination software. Clinical and laboratory manifestations and disease activity using SLE disease activity index (SLEDAI) were also assessed. Results: Our results showed that the frequency of the NKG2D single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) (rs2255336 G→ A) was not significantly higher in cases of SLE compared to healthy control (p=0.13). NKG2D polymorphism in SLE patients showed a statistical difference between GG genotype versus GA & AA genotypes regarding inflammatory rash, lupus headache and hair loss. Conclusion: NKG2D single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) seems to play no role in the susceptibility to SLE in Egyptian population of Suez Canal area.