Hepatitis C virus-associated hypobetalipoproteinemia is correlated with plasma viral load, steatosis, and liver fibrosis

Aim: A relationship between chronic hepatitis C virus [HCV] infection and lipid metabolism has recently been suggested. The aim of this study was to determine the correlation between lipid profile and virology, and histologic lesions in noncirrhotic, londiabetic patients with hepatitis C. Subjects and Thirty patients with untreated chronic hepatitis C were studied to assess the effects of HCV viral load, steatosis, hepatic fibrosis, and body mass ndex [BMI] on lipid profile. The control group showed a significantly higher apolipoprotein B [apo B] concentration compared with patients with chronic hepatitis C. Hypobetalipoproteinemia [apo B <0.7 g/l] was found in 8 [26.6%] chronic HCV patients and in 1 [10%] control subjects [P=0.0002]. Levels of apo B were negatively correlated with steatosis and HCV viral ioad [r= -0.22, P=0.03]. In multivariate analysis, low apo B concentration was significantly associated with fibrosis grade 2 or 3 versus grade 0 or 1 [P< 0001], stetosis > 5% [P<0.001], low body mass index [P<0.001], and high HCV viral load [P< 0.014]. Conclusions: In chronic HCV patients, hypobetalipoproteinemia occurs already in the early stages of HCV infection before the development of liver cirrhosis. The correlation between apo B levels and HCV viral load seems to confirm the interaction between hepatitis C infection and Beta-lipoprotein metabolism

immunohistochemical expression of estrogen reception and progestrone receptor in astrocytomas

In this study, the tumor specimens from 20 cases of astrocytic neoplasms of various histologic grades were stained immunohistochemically using avidin-biotin peroxidase method and monoclonal antibodies to estrogen and progesterone [ER and PR] receptors. The correlation between ER and PR expression and patient's age, sex, location of tumors, histologic grade, survival and recurrence rate was evaluated. It was found that positive nuclear immunostaining for estrogen receptors was noted in 9/20 cases ranging from score +1 to +3. Progesterone receptor positivity was also noted in the nuclei of 9/20 of the cases. The statistical analysis showed no significant correlation between ER and PR receptors expression and patient's age, sex or histologic grade. PR showed a significant correlation to the tumor location, since most of PR positive tumors were located in the temporal area. ER and PR positive patients showed a significant correlation with patient survival and decreased recurrence rate. It was concluded that positive functioning estrogen and progesterone receptors are present in a number of astrocytomas that may stimulate the clinical use of hormonal therapy in the management of astrocytomas, particularly, recurrent and inoperable cases