Whole Genome 5′-Methylcytosine Level Quantification in Cirrhotic HCV-Infected Egyptian Patients with and without Hepatocellular Carcinoma

Abstract EN

DNA methylation is an epigenetic mechanism used by cells to control gene expression.

DNA methylation is a commonly used epigenetic signaling tool that can hold genes in the “off” position.

Chronic infection with hepatitis C virus (HCV) is considered a major risk for chronic liver impairment.

It is the most common leading cause of HCC.

The present work is aimed at studying whole genome 5′-methylcytosine levels in cirrhotic HCV-infected Egyptian patients.

In the present study, 120 Egyptian adults were included.

They were divided into two groups: group І (40 apparently healthy control subjects) and group ІІ (80 HCV-infected patients).

Furthermore, group II was subdivided into 2 subgroups according to the presence of HCC in HCV-infected subjects.

To all studied subjects, the level of 5-mC% was measured in peripheral blood.

In the present study, the median of 5′-methylcytosine% in the control group (group I) was 2.5, in the HCV group (group IIa) was 2.45, and in the HCC group (group II b) was 2.25.

A stepwise decrease in 5′-methylcytosine% from the control (group I) toward HCC (group IIb) was observed, taking into consideration that the stepwise global hypomethylation was not statistically significant (p=0.811).

There was a negative correlation between ALT and 5′-methylcytosine% (p=−0.029).

From this study, we can conclude that global DNA 5′-methylcytosine% does not differ in HCV-infected cirrhotic patients and HCC patients when compared to normal controls.

Consecutively, we had concluded that there is no impact of 5′-methylcytosine% on the development of liver cirrhosis or HCC.

Moreover, the negative correlation between 5′-methylcytosine% and serum ALT level denotes a trend of decrease in 5′-methylcytosine% with more liver damage.