Study on insulin-leptin axis in hepatitis C-Virus infected patients using radiometric techniques

Abstract EN

Hepatitis C-virus (HCV) infection is a global health problem because of its chronicity rate, and its prevalence in Egypt is the highest worldwide.

Leptin is a protein hormone produced by adipocytes having a major function on regulation of energy expenditure, food intake and weight reduction.

Insulin-Leptin axis might be related to the increased energy expenditure observed in some diseases.

The present study aimed at investigating the variations which may occur in some biochemical parameters with the study of insulin-leptin axis in patients infected with hepatitis C-virus.

The study executed on 15 male patients suffering from HCV infection and 15 healthy volunteers in the same range.

For all subjects, liver enzymes (ALT & AST), lipid profile (cholesterol & triglycerides) and estimation of insulin and leptin by RIA were done.

The results revealed highly significant increase in serum ALT and AST activities, triglycerides, and insulin level in HCV-infected patients compared to their corresponding results in the controls.

On the other hand, there was non-significant change in serum cholesterol concentration and leptin level in the patients compared to controls.

It could be concluded that the significant increase in insulin level in HCV-infected patients make them more prone to insulin resistance and diabetes.