Türk Biyokimya Dergisi [Turkish Journal of Biochemistry–Turk J Biochem] 2011; 36 (2) ; 102–106.

Research Article [Araştırma Makalesi]

Yayın tarihi 15 Haziran, 2011 © TurkJBiochem.com [Published online 15 June, 2011]

Comparison of L-FABP, ALT and AST Levels in Chronic Hepatitis C [Kronik Hepatit C’de L-FABP, ALT ve AST Düzeylerinin Karşılaştırılması]

Seren Ozenirler1, Gulbanu Erkan1, Aycan Erkan4, Ceyla Konca1 , Sehri Elbeg2, Gulen Akyol3 Gazi University Faculty of Medicine, Departments of 1Gastroenterology, 2Medical Biochemistry 3 Pathology, Ankara, Turkey. 4 Ufuk University, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Cardiology, Ankara, Turkey.

Yazışma Adresi [Correspondence Address] Aycan Erkan, MD Department of Cardiology, Faculty of Medicine, Ufuk University, Dr. Rıdvan Ege Hospital, 86-88 Mevlana Boulevard, Ankara, Turkey Phone: +90(312)2044184 Fax: +90(312)2044055 e-mail: [email protected]

Registered: 1 July 2010; Accepted: 17 February 2011 [Kayıt Tarihi: 01 Temmuz 2010; Kabul Tarihi: 17 Şubat 2011]

http://www.TurkJBiochem.com

ABSTRACT Purpose: To determine the plasma level of liver- type fatty acid binding protein (L-FABP) in chronic hepatitis C (CHC), and to compare this to Alanine Aminotransferase (ALT) and Aspartate Aminotransferase (AST) levels. Methods: We tested 38 biopsy-proven CHC patients and 33 age- and sex- matched healthy controls in whom biopsy was not performed for ethical considerations. Patients with persistently elevated plasma aminotransferase levels (ALT and/or AST), and positive anti-HCV antibody and HCV-RNA results were included, but not those with liver cirrhosis, chronic alcohol consumption, severe and/or acute cardiac, renal, cerebrovascular or intestinal disease, seropositive for Hepatitis B virus or HIV. In addition to routine biochemical assessment, L-FABP was determined using a solid phase specific sandwich ELISA. Results: Plasma ALT and AST level were significantly higher in the patient group than in the control group (57.7±27.9 IU/L vs 19.0± 7.7 IU/L, p