The transferrin isoforms in chronic hepatitis.

BACKGROUND

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of chronic hepatitis on the serum profile of transferrin isoforms.

METHODS

Tested group consist of 160 patients with chronic hepatitis. The samples were analyzed by capillary electrophoresis on MINICAP electrophoretic system (Sebia, France).

RESULTS

In patients with chronic hepatitis tetrasialotransferrin level was increased (P=0.002) and pentasialotransferrin decreased (P=0.009). Moreover, statistical analysis revealed that trisialotransferrin level was different according to the grade of portal/periportal activity (P=0.009), the grade of lobular activity (P=0.004) and the stage of fibrosis (P=0.022). There were no differences in tetrasialotransferrin and pentasialotransferrin according to the advancement of hepatitis activity and the stage of fibrosis (P>0.05 for all comparisons).

CONCLUSIONS

We conclude that chronic hepatitis affect the serum profile of transferrin isoforms, but only trisialotransferrin level could be useful in determining progression of chronic hepatitis and the stage of fibrosis.