Evaluating levels of insulin like growth factor I, insulin like growth factor binding protein I and growth hormone in patients with chronic hepatitis C and liver cirrhosis

ABSTRACT

Thirty-nine patients without diabetes mellitus and having chronic hepatitis C and liver cirrhosis of different severities were studied. All patients were subjected to full history taking, complete clinical examinations, liver profile, viral hepatitis markers [anti-HCV-Ab and HbsAg], HCV RNA by PCR, abdominal ultrasound and liver biopsy [if feasible]. Fasting levels of insulin-like growth factor I, insulin- like growth factor binding protein I, growth hormone as well as insulin hormone and blood glucose were measured in all patients and in a reference group of 12 healthy individuals. Data of the present study supported the prognostic value of IGF-I which may be useful in determining the prognosis of patients with post-hepatic cirrhosis, particularly those subjected to liver transplantation