Inverse association of plasma level of glutathione peroxidase with liver fibrosis in chronic hepatitis B: potential role of iron

ABSTRACT

Background: Oxidative stress plays a major pathogenic role in liver injury following chronic hepatitis B. Glutathione peroxidase [Gpx] has a central role in regulating the oxidative state. Hepatitis B virus [HBV] results in down-regulation of Gpx. On the other hand, iron homeostasis is disrupted in HBV infected patients. Therefore, the objective of this study was to assess the interplay of Gpx and serum iron on clinical and virological characteristics of patients with chronic HBV infection