Résumé
Annexins are family of proteins expressed throughout multicelullar eukaryotic phyla but whose functions are poorly understood. Biochemically, annexins are defined as soluble, hydrophilic proteins that bind to negatively charged phospholipids in a Ca[+2]-dependent manner. This binding is reversible, and removal of Ca[+2] by Ca[2+] chelating agents will lead to a libration of annexins from the phospholipid matrix. Certain dysregultion in annexin expression, properties, or localization may contribute to the pathophysiology of disease phenotypes. This has led to the introduction of the term [annexinopathies]. The aim of this work was to study the role of annexin V in hepatic fibrosis with and without gastrointestinal haemorrhage. This study was carried out on sixty patients with hepatic fibrosis [diagnosed by liver biopsy], and were subdivided into two groups: Group I included 30 patients had no history of variceal bleeding, Group II included 30 patients had history of variceal bleeding, and 10 healthy subjects as a control group. Abdominal ultrasound with Doppler assessment of hepatic haemodynamic, upper Gl endoscopic examination, measurement of plasma Annexin V level by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay were done. There was a significant increase of the mean plasma annexin V level in group [I and II] more than in controls, and it was being significantly higher in group II than in group I. There were no statistically significant relation between the plasma annexin V level and the Child-Pugh score, grades of esophageal varices, portal pressure or grades of portal hypertension in group I or in group II