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World J Gastroenterol. Aug 14, 2006; 12(30): 4897-4901
Published online Aug 14, 2006. doi: 10.3748/wjg.v12.i30.4897
Influence of iron on the severity of hepatic fibrosis in patients with chronic hepatitis C
Tsung-Jung Lin, Li-Ying Liao, Shyr-Yi Lin, Chih-Lin Lin, Ting-An Chang
Tsung-Jung Lin, Li-Ying Liao, Chih-Lin Lin, Department of Gastroenterology, Ren-Ai Branch, Taipei City Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan, China
Tsung-Jung Lin, Shyr-Yi Lin, Graduate Institute of Medical Sciences, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan, China
Ting-An Chang, Department of Pathology, Ren-Ai Branch, Taipei City Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan, China
Author contributions: All authors contributed equally to the work.
Supported by grants from the Taipei Institute of Pathology, Taipei, Taiwan, China
Correspondence to: Dr. Li-Ying Liao, Department of Gastroenterology, Ren-Ai Branch, Taipei City Hospital, 5F., No. 52, Lane 240, Guangfu S. Rd., Da-an District Taipei City 106, Taiwan, China. ronlin@aptg.net
Telephone: +886-2-27093600-1157 Fax: +886-2-27047859
Received: March 10, 2006
Revised: March 19, 2006
Accepted: March 27, 2006
Published online: August 14, 2006
Abstract

AIM: To evaluate the association among hepatic fibrosis, serum iron indices, and hepatic iron stores in patients with Chronic Hepatitis C (CHC).

METHODS: Thirty-two CHC patients were included in our study. The histological degree of fibrosis and inflammation activity was assessed according to the Metavir system. The serum iron indices including ferritin, iron and transferrin saturation were measured. Hepatic iron deposition was graded by Perls’ stain.

RESULTS: The CHC patients with severe hepatic fibrosis (n = 16) were significantly older than CHC patients with mild fibrosis (n = 16) (P = 0.024). The serum iron indices, increased serum iron store and positive hepatic iron stain were not significantly different between the two groups. In multivariate logistic regression analysis, the age at biopsy was an independent predictor of severe hepatic fibrosis (Odds ratio = 1.312; P = 0.035). The positive hepatic iron stain was significantly associated with the values of alanine aminotransferase (ALT) (P = 0.017), ferritin (P = 0.008), serum iron (P = 0.019) and transferrin saturation (P = 0.003). The ferritin level showed significant correlation with the value of ALT (r = 0.531; P = 0.003), iron (r = 0.467; P = 0.011) and transferrin saturation (r = 0.556; P = 0.002).

CONCLUSION: Our findings suggest that the severity of hepatitis C virus (HCV)-related liver injury is associated with patient age at biopsy. Both serum iron indices and hepatic iron deposition show correlation with serum indices of chronic liver disease but are not related to grade and stage of liver histology.

Keywords: Chronic hepatitis C; Hepatitis C virus; Hepatic iron; Serum iron; Hepatic fibrosis