ABSTRACT
This study included 20 patients with chronic hepatitis, 19 with Child A liver cirrhosis and 30 with Child B and C liver cirrhosis. Ten healthy individuals were included as controls. Soluble Fas [sFas], as a marker for apoptosis, was estimated in plasma by ELISA. The degree of oxidant stress was determined by measuring plasma levels of lipid peroxide [LPER], nitric oxide [NO] and the antioxidants, superoxide dismutase [SOD] and total thiols. The study indicated that apoptosis in CLD due to HCV is more or less a stage dependent and is related to the level of soluble Fas, oxygen and nitrogen radical production and antioxidant system. From the practical point of view, it may be suggested that pharmacotherapy based on intervention with control of apoptosis deserves further consideration in this particular type of disease