title: Association of genetic polymorphism -670A>G in the Fas gene and serum markers AST platelet ratio index, AST/ALT with significant fibrosis and cirrhosis in chronic hepatitis C.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This study was carried out to evaluate the association of genetic polymorphism -670A>G in the promoter of Fas gene as well as serum biomarkers aspartate aminotransferase (AST) platelet ratio index (APRI) and AST/alanine aminotransferase (ALT) with significant fibrosis and cirrhosis in chronic hepatitis C patients. Seventy-nine patients with chronic hepatitis C in addition to 80 age- and sex-matched healthy controls were evaluated for genetic polymorphism -670A>G of Fas gene by polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism and serum biomarkers APRI and AST/ALT in relation to significant fibrosis and cirrhosis diagnosed by liver biopsy.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Genetic polymorphism -670A>G in Fas gene was associated with significant liver fibrosis and cirrhosis. Heterozygous mutation was found in 11.4% of patients and 10% of controls, while homozygous mutation was found only in 7.6% of patients. Odds ratio (OR) was statistically not significant (OR=1.93, 95% confidence interval=0.76-4.92). Mean values of APRI and AST/ALT were significantly higher in patients with (F3-F4) compared with those with (F0-F2). (p-value <0.001 for APRI and p=0.007 for AST/ALT). In addition, APRI showed a better sensitivity than AST/ALT for prediction of significant fibrosis.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Genetic polymorphism -670A>G of Fas gene was associated with significant fibrosis and cirrhosis in chronic hepatitis C patients. APRI and AST/ALT are independent predictors for significant fibrosis. APRI showed a better sensitivity than AST/ALT for prediction of significant fibrosis. Moreover, APRI can be used as an index to exclude liver cirrhosis without performing liver biopsy.
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, Alexandria University, Alexandria, Egypt.
authors.forename: Akram
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Deghady
authors.forename: Alaa
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Abdou
authors.forename: Wafaa Ahmed
authors.initials: WA
authors.lastname: El-Neanaey
authors.forename: Iman
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Diab
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000410:Alanine Transaminase / Q000097:blood*; D001219:Aspartate Aminotransferases / Q000097:blood*; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood*; D005260:Female; D019698:Hepatitis C, Chronic / Q000097:blood / Q000150:complications* / Q000235:genetics / Q000473:pathology; D006801:Humans; D008103:Liver Cirrhosis / Q000097:blood* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000235:genetics / Q000473:pathology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010976:Platelet Count; D011110:Polymorphism, Genetic / Q000235:genetics*; D019014:fas Receptor / Q000235:genetics*
chemical_list: D015415:Biomarkers; C491901:FAS protein, human; D019014:fas Receptor; D001219:Aspartate Aminotransferases; D000410:Alanine Transaminase