Evaluation of the genotoxicity in patients with HBV, HCV, and HCC using micronucleus and comet assay in Mosul City\Iraq

Abstract

Hepatitis B virus (HBV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV) have mutagenic effects on somatic cells. HBV and HCV may be showing these mutagenic effects through its viral proteins or through integrating into host DNA. The aim of this study was to determine whether HBV and HCV have a genotoxic effect on the DNA of oral epithelial cells. A cohort of 145 samples have been collected from participants from the date of 5 \ 1 \ 2020 to 15\9\ 2021. Among those samples are (40 healthy controls, HBV 38, 44 HCV, and HCC 23) to make cytogenetic evaluation by observing the micronucleus (MNi) test and comet assay. For each individual, 100 cells were analyzed for comet assay. Around 100 cells were observed and MNi were scored for each individual. Our results showed significantly higher frequencies of MNi in HBV, HCV, and HCC patients groups than in the control group. There was no difference in MNi scores among HBV, HCV, HCC patients groups, and showed a significantly difference of study groups compared to healthy carriers. In conclusion: chronic HBV, HCV, HCC patients have genomic instability as affected as patients because of their levels of DNA damage and MNi.