ABSTRACT

Free oxygen radicals are known to be effective on the progression and development of chronic viral hepatitis. In this study, the relationship between different markers of oxidative stress and the etiological factors of chronic viral hepatitis was evaluated. Additionally, the status of oxidative stress in patients with chronic viral hepatitis was investigated.

The study involved 21 patients with chronic viral hepatitis and a control group of 20 healthy people. Malondialdehyde (MDA) levels in blood samples were examined to determine the levels of nitric oxide and nitrite+nitrate, and to evaluate the lipid peroxidation.

While the levels of nitrite+nitrate in patients with chronic viral hepatitis were 105.42±15.51 μmol/L, the levels in the control group were 84.13±6.36 μmol/L. The difference between the results was statistically significant (p<0.001). Serum MDA levels in patients with chronic viral hepatitis and in the control group were 23.63±4.68 μmol/L and 10.36±1.36 μmol/L, respectively. The difference between the results was statistically significant (p<0.001). When the oxidative stress markers in different causes of chronic viral hepatitis were compared, no difference was observed.

An increase in oxidative stress markers in patients with chronic viral hepatitis does occur, but the elevation is not related to the type of viral hepatitis.

Keywords: Hepatitis B, hepatitis C, chronic viral hepatitis, lipid peroxidation, nitric oxide, oxidative stress