ABSTRACT
The transforming growth factor-beta[1] is an important cytokine with anti-inflammatory properties may have a role in pathogenesis of liver fibrosis. The main purpose of this study was to compare the serum levels of TGF- beta[1] in a group of chronic HBV infected [CHB] patients as well as healthy individuals and to determine the correlation between the TOF- beta[1] and stages of fibrosis in CHB patients. A case control study using forty patients with CHB as well as forty healthy individuals. ELISA technique was applied to measure the serum level of TGF- beta[1] in both patient and control groups. We used the data of the liver biopsy of CHB patients to make a correlation between TGF- beta[1] and stages of fibrosis. Our results revealed that the serum levels of TGF- beta[1] -were significantly increased in CHB patients [1958.0 +/- 730.26pg/ml] in comparison to healthy controls [944.4 +/- 5 73.24 pg/ml] [P<0.0001]. Serum levels of TGF- beta[1] -was significantly increased in F2-F3 [2600.0 +/- 472.69pg/ml] in comparison to FO-F1[1483.5 +/- 478.54 pg/ml] [P < 0.0001]. The sludy concluded that high serum levels of TGF-fl may be a mechanism by which immune response against IIBV is suppressed. The serum level of TGF- beta[1] is a potential noninvasive marker for diagnosis of liver fibrosis in CHB patients