Specific ssDNA concentration in liver tissue as an index of apoptosis in hepatitis C virus-infected patients

AIM: To evaluate the activity of apoptosis in liver tissue and explore its possible association with hepatic necroinflammation and fibrosis as well as serum hepatitis C virus (HCV) load. METHODS: The studied population included 50 chronic hepatitis C patients (20 women and 30 men, aged 18-66 years). HCV-RNA quantification was performed by two-step real-time quantitative RT-PCR method using the TaqMan technology (reagents of Applera Corporation firm, USA). The morphology of liver tissue was assessed descriptively and scored (necroinflammatory activity and fibrosis). The early apoptosis activity in liver tissue was examined by ssDNA apoptosis ELISA kit, (Chemicon, Germany). RESULTS: The correlation between apoptosis and fibrosis in liver tissue was observed. High intensification of apoptosis was proportional to the increase of fibrosis (ssDNA: 16.65x10(-5) mu g/g; 12.71x10(-5) mu g/g), however, this difference was not statistically significant (P>0.05). Activity of apoptosis in the liver tissue, expressed by ssDNA concentration did not depend on hepatic necroinflammatory changes, HCV-RNA viral load, ALT, and AST activity as well as prothrombin time and INR index. CONCLUSION: Fibrosis in the tissue is closely associated with early apoptosis in HCV-infected patients. (C) 2005 The WJG Press and Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.