Abstract:
Hepatitis B virus (HBV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV) exerts an intense impact on
patient’s lipid metabolism. Hence the aim of present study is to determine
metabolic derangement that occurs in subjects suffering from hepatitis B, C and
cirrhosis. The fasting blood samples were collected from hepatitis B (n=50), C
(n=50) and cirrhosis patients (HBV-cirrhosis n=30 and HCV-cirrhosis n=50)
along with age and gender matched controls. After separating serum, lipid profile
was analyzed by micro-lab 300 and fatty acids (FAs) composition was examined
by gas chromatography. Fatty acids were further confirmed by gas GC-MS
technique. The epidemiological risk factors for transmission of HBV, HCV and
cirrhosis were measured through standard questionnaire specially designed for
that purpose. The demographic factors, mainly positive family history, dental
treatment, blood transfusion and shaving from barber shop are significant
contributing factors in spread of HBV, HCV, and cirrhosis infection.
Hypolipidemia in HBV and HCV patients is possibly due to alter liver function.
Lipogenesis is elevated in HCV and HBV patients as evident from reduced
serum PUFA and elevated SFA as well as MUFA levels. Hence, it proposes the
importance of PUFA supplementation and it may provide synergistic antiviral
effects when given as a food supplement during the INF based anti - HCV
therapy. The lower level of lipid profile (TAG, cholesterol, LDL–C, HDL–C,
VLDL–C and total lipids) indicating hypolipidemia in HBV-cirrhosis and HCVcirrhosis
patients specify the nonfunctioning of liver. The increased lipogenesis
(increased level of SFA) and reduced PUFA levels may be due to altering
desaturases activities, impaired PUFA metabolism and non-enzymatic oxidation
is associated with progression of HBV-cirrhosis/ HCV-cirrhosis diseases in
patients and promote the hepatic lipotoxicity.
In conclusion, the hepatitis B and C viruses alter the total cholesterol and FA
metabolic pathways. Therefore, the present study provides the information about
the changes associated with lipid metabolism and significant upregulation, which
might be used as a biomarker for hepatitis B, C and cirrhosis diseases.
