Surveying TNF-α concentration in chronic hepatitis C patients

TNF gene polymorphisms may influence hepatitis C virus activity. In the present study we surveyed TNF-α concentration in chronic hepatitis C patients and its association with hepatic fibrosis.

We investigated the association between TNF-α level and inflammatory necrosis/fibrosis grading, meanwhile, TNF association was investigated with anthropometric indices (body mass index, waist to hip ratio, waist circumference, sex, age), biochemical indices (triglyceride, cholesterol, fasting blood sugar, HOMA-IR, AST, ALT, insulin, peptide-c, INR) and also pathological findings.

The study population included 50 males and 10 females with the mean age of 34.9±10.6 years. the mean TNF level was 31.13±30pg/ml. TNF was not associated with the following indices: age, sex, height, BMI, WHR, waist circumference, TG, cholesterol, FBS, HOMA-IR, insulin, peptide-c, INR, ferittin, transferrin, serum iron, steatosis and iron precipitate. However, TNF level was associated with drug abuse and alcohol (p<0.008, p<0.017). Based on logistic regression analysis, FBS, TG, iron level, peptide-c, height, total and indirect bilirubin were associated with TNF.

TNF-α level was associated with FBS, TG, serum iron, peptide-c, total and indirect bilirubin, height, drug abuse, and alcohol use, however, it was not associated with inflammatory necrosis/fibrosis grading.