Serum levels of soluble intercellular adhesion molecule-1 and soluble vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 in asymptomatic carriers of hepatitis C virus.
High levels of serum-soluble intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (sICAM-1) and soluble vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (sVCAM-1) have been noted in patients with chronic hepatitis C. This study aimed to measure serum levels of sICAM-1 and sVCAM-1 in asymptomatic hepatitis C virus carriers and clarify the clinical significance of measuring soluble forms. Serum levels of sICAM-1 were significantly higher than in healthy controls but serum sVCAM-1 levels did not differ statistically from those in healthy controls. Liver biopsy obtained from 12 asymptomatic hepatitis C virus carriers showed evidence of hepatitis. Estimating sICAM-1 and sVCAM-1 in asymptomatic carriers may be helpful, especially in cases in which liver biopsy is not possible.
Second Department of Internal Medicine, Nagoya University School of Medicine, Japan.
Y
Y
Fukuda
I
I
Nakano
Y
Y
Katano
A
A
Marui
T
T
Hayakawa
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D015415:Biomarkers; D005260:Female; D016174:Hepacivirus / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D006526:Hepatitis C / Q000097:blood*; D006801:Humans; D018799:Intercellular Adhesion Molecule-1 / Q000097:blood*; D008099:Liver / Q000378:metabolism / Q000821:virology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D019010:Vascular Cell Adhesion Molecule-1 / Q000097:blood*
D015415:Biomarkers; D019010:Vascular Cell Adhesion Molecule-1; D018799:Intercellular Adhesion Molecule-1