We studied thirty patients with chronic viral hepatitis (15 had hepatitis B virus
and 15 had hepatitis C virus infection) and 10 normal healthy volunteers as a control
group. They were investigated by procto-sigmoidoscopy, abdominal ultrasonography,
liver biopsy and fasting blood samples were taken to assess, serum iron, total iron
binding capacity (TIBC), serum type III procollagen peptide (PIIINP), Alanine aminotransferase
(ALT), Asparate aminotransferase (AST), alkaline phosphatase and serum
bilirubin. The results did show a high level of both serum iron and PIIINP in patients
with chronic hepatitis as compared to the control group. No correlation was
found between serum iron and either PIIINP or aminotransferases, but significant correlations
were found to both alk. phos. and bilirubin. A positive correlation was found
between PIIINP and ALT indicating that PIIINP a known marker for liver fibrogenesis
might be a marker for disease activity. inspite of the finding of absent relation between
serum iron and disease activity in patients with chronic viral hepatitis, the high
serum levels of iron in these patients needs further studies to evaluate its clinical significance. |
