Secreted Phosphoprotein 1 Promoter Genetic Variants Are Associated with the Response to Pegylated Interferon alpha Plus Ribavirin Combination Therapy in Egyptian Patients with Chronic Hepatitis C Virus Infection

BACKGROUND/AIMS: The T-helper 1 (TH1) immune reaction is essential for the eradication of hepatitis C virus (HCV) during pegylated interferon alpha (PEG-IFN-alpha)- and ribavirin (RBV)-based therapy in chronic HCV patients. Secreted phosphoprotein 1 (SPP1) was shown to be a crucial cytokine for the initiation of a TH1 immune response. We aimed to investigate whether SPP1 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) may influence sustained virological response (SVR) rates. METHODS: Two SNPs in the promoter region of SPP1 at the -443 C>T and -1748 G>A loci were genotyped in 100 patients with chronic HCV genotype 4 infection using a TaqMan SNP genotyping assay. RESULTS: Sixty-seven patients achieved a SVR, and 33 patients showed no SVR. Patients carrying the T/T genotype at the -443 locus showed a significantly higher SVR rate than those carrying the C/T or C/C genotype (83.67% vs 50.98%, pT and -1748 G>A loci may be useful markers for predicting the response to PEG-IFN-alpha-2b plus RBV therapy in Egyptian patients with chronic HCV genotype 4 infection.

Levels of serum intercellular and vascular adhesion molecules in insulin dependent diabetic nephropathy patients

The study evaluated the possible significant role of soluble intercellular and vascular adhesion molecule- 1 [sICAM-1 and sVCAM-1], sE-selectin and interluekin-l beta in development nephropathy in patients with insulin dependent diabetes mellitus [IDDM]. This study included 60 patients with type 1 diabetes mellitus [IDDM], together with 20 healthy control subjects. Patients were divided into 3 groups according to the onset of disease. All studied groups were subjected to clinical and laboratory evaluation of serum soluble sIC AM- 1, sVCAM-1, sE-selectin, IL-l beta in association with microalbumin, and CRP. A highly significant elevation of soluble adhesion molecules [sICAM-1, sVCAM -1 and sE-selectin] and microalbuminuria were observed in patients with IDDM, while there was no significance difference in ILl-beta in the same patients. Our findings may have clinical implications, since they may indicate that, these adhesion molecules are known as very strong marker for renal complications and the circulating forms of these adhesion molecules have been associated with clinical vascular events and all-cause mortality in the renal population

Reliability of some biochemical parameters as prognostic factors for hepatitis in schistosomiasis patients

The early diagnosis of hepatitis in patients is sometimes difficult and despite adequate studies may remain undetected. To carry out this point, 4 selected groups of patients were investigated. Group 1 included patients with chronic liver cirrhosis due to schistosomiasis with a positive ELISA and PCR tests for HCV and showed a very high level of iron and ferritin as compared with the control group. Group 2 consisted of patients with chronic liver cirrhosis due to schistosomiasis with negative ELISA for either HBV or HCV antibodies and revealed a significant increase in copper and decrease in zinc as compared with the control group. Group 3 composed of patients with HCV infection, confirmed by antibody detection through third generation ELISA, RIBA III. Patients in this group showed a significant increase in the iron and ferritin level compared with the control group. Moreover, group 4 encompassed patients with HBV infection showed a positive ELISA for antibody detection [HBsAb] and immunochromatographic reaction for detection of surface antigen [HBsAg]. The results suggested that reduced level of Zn ++ and increased level Cu ++ might be a reflection of the incidence of HBV more than HCV infection, while a high level of iron and ferritin are potential biomarkers for schistosomiasis patients with early HCV infection