Mitochondrial DNA copy number in Hepatitis C virus-related chronic liver disease: impact of direct-acting antiviral therapy.

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection can regulate the number and dynamics of mitochondria, and is associated with a prominent hepatic mitochondrial injury. Mitochondrial distress conveys oxidative damage which is implicated in liver disease progression. The present study was conducted to assess the change of mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) copy number in patients with HCV-related chronic liver disease and the impact of direct-acting antiviral (DAA) therapy.

Serum and ascitic D-dimer in cirrhotic patients with spontaneous bacterial peritonitis.

Aim Of The Study: The study aimed to investigate serum and ascitic fluid D-dimer level in patients with liver cirrhosis with and without ascites and to evaluate the impact of spontaneous bacterial peritonitis (SBP) on circulating serum and ascitic fluid D-dimer levels.

Material And Methods: This study was conducted on 60 subjects who were further subdivided into group I comprising 15 patients with liver cirrhosis and no ascites, group II comprising 15 cirrhotic patients with ascites, group III comprising 15 cirrhotic patients with ascites and SBP, and group IV comprising 15 healthy controls. All patients were subjected to full history taking, physical examination, laboratory investigations, and measurement of serum D-dimer in all groups and ascitic fluid D-dimer in groups II and III.

Comparison of hepatic and splenic stiffness in chronic hepatitis C infection with and without schistosomal infection; correlation with hepatic histopathological changes.

Aim Of The Study: To assess the degree of liver and spleen stiffness in chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) patients co-infected with schistosomiasis, and chronic HCV mono-infected patients.

Material And Methods: The present study was conducted on 50 Egyptian chronic HCV patients, categorized into two groups: group A (25 patients with chronic HCV mono-infection) and group B (25 patients with chronic HCV and schistosomiasis coinfection). Also, 25 age- and sex-matched healthy subjects with no evidence of liver disease were included in the study as a control group.

Impact of direct-acting antivirals on leukocytic DNA telomere length in hepatitis C virus-related hepatic cirrhosis.

Background: Direct-acting antiviral (DAAs) represent advancement in the management of hepatitis C virus (HCV)-related hepatic cirrhosis. A high proportion of patients achieve a sustained virologic response; eradication of HCV is coupled with a decreased risk of hepatocellular carcinoma. Recent evidence suggests that shortening of the DNA telomere may be linked to cellular senescence as well as predisposition to malignant transformation.

Mitochondrial DNA Copy Number in Egyptian Patients with Hepatitis C Virus-Related Hepatocellular Carcinoma.

Aim: To assess the use of mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) content as a noninvasive molecular biomarker in hepatitis C virus-related hepatocellular carcinoma (HCV-HCC).

Materials And Methods: A total of 135 participants were enrolled in the study. Equal numbers of subjects were enrolled in each of three clinically defined groups: those with HCV-related cirrhosis (HCV-cirrhosis), those with HCV-HCC, and a control group of age- and sex-matched healthy volunteers with no evidence of liver disease.