Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Levels in Chronic Hepatitis and Liver Cirrhosis Associated with Hepatitis C

Abstract

Aim: The hepatitis C virus is a significant public health problem\racross the world. The purpose of this study is to investigate\rwhether serum Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor (VEGF) can\rbe used as a non-invasive marker of liver damage in patients\rwith hepatitis C virus infection-related chronic hepatitis (Chronic\rHepatitis C- CHC) and liver cirrhosis (LC).\rMaterial and Method: A total of newly diagnosed 44 patients (34\rwith CHC and 10 with LC) and 28 healthy subjects were recruited\rinto the study. All the patients had not yet received any treatment\rfor the disease. Detailed medical histories and systemic examination were recorded for all study participants. Also, biochemical\rand hematological parameters, viral markers, VEGF levels, and\rupper abdominal ultrasounds were evaluated for all study participants. All subjects in the patient group also underwent biopsy of\rthe liver. Serum VEGF levels were determined by ELISA method.\rResults: Mean CHC, LC and healthy control group VEGF levels were 255±237 pg/ml, 198±130 pg/ml, and 78±27 pg/ml, respectively. VEGF values in CHC group were significantly higher\ras compared to the controls (p1<0.001), but the elevation in the\rLC group was not statistically significant (p2=0.06). VEGF levels\rof the CHC group decreased as degrees of fibrosis, based on\rIshak Fibrosis Scores increased. Similarly, VEGF levels of the LC\rgroup decreased as Child-Turcotte-Pugh (CTP) scores increased\rat subgroup analysis based on the CTP classification system.\rAdditionally, a VEGF level above 115 pg/ml was determined to\rpredict development of chronic hepatitis with 67% specificity and\r79% sensitivity, but any VEGF level was unable to predict the development of LC.\rConclusion: Serum VEGF levels may be used as a non-invasive\rmarker of progressive damage and regeneration occurring in the\rliver, but the current findings need to be supported with randomized controlled trials involving wider patient groups.