Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Levels in ChronicHepatitis and Liver Cirrhosis Associated with Hepatitis C

Cadirci K., Keskin H., Okçu N.

Kafkas Journal of Medical Sciences, cilt.9, sa.2, ss.74-78, 2019 (Hakemli Dergi) identifier

Özet

Aim: The hepatitis C virus is a significant public health problem across the world. The purpose of this study is to investigate whether serum Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor (VEGF) can be used as a non-invasive marker of liver damage in patients with hepatitis C virus infection-related chronic hepatitis (Chronic Hepatitis C- CHC) and liver cirrhosis (LC). Material and Method: A total of newly diagnosed 44 patients (34 with CHC and 10 with LC) and 28 healthy subjects were recruited into the study. All the patients had not yet received any treatment for the disease. Detailed medical histories and systemic examination were recorded for all study participants. Also, biochemical and hematological parameters, viral markers, VEGF levels, and upper abdominal ultrasounds were evaluated for all study participants. All subjects in the patient group also underwent biopsy of the liver. Serum VEGF levels were determined by ELISA method. Results: Mean CHC, LC and healthy control group VEGF levels were 255±237 pg/ml, 198±130 pg/ml, and 78±27 pg/ml, respectively. VEGF values in CHC group were significantly higher as compared to the controls (p1<0.001), but the elevation in the LC group was not statistically significant (p2=0.06). VEGF levels of the CHC group decreased as degrees of fibrosis, based on Ishak Fibrosis Scores increased. Similarly, VEGF levels of the LC group decreased as Child-Turcotte-Pugh (CTP) scores increased at subgroup analysis based on the CTP classification system. Additionally, a VEGF level above 115 pg/ml was determined to predict development of chronic hepatitis with 67% specificity and 79% sensitivity, but any VEGF level was unable to predict the development of LC. Conclusion: Serum VEGF levels may be used as a non-invasive marker of progressive damage and regeneration occurring in the liver, but the current findings need to be supported with randomized controlled trials involving wider patient groups.