High Serum Levels of TGF-β in Iranians With Chronic HBV Infection.
BACKGROUND
The transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) is an important cytokine with anti-inflammatory properties.


OBJECTIVE
The main purpose of this study was to compare the serum levels of TGF-β in a group of chronic HBV infected (CHB) patients as well as healthy individuals from South-East of Iran.


METHODS
Sixty patients with CHB as well as sixty healthy individuals were enrolled in the study. ELISA technique was applied to measure the serum levels of TGF-β in both groups.


RESULTS
Our results revealed that the serum levels of TGF-β were significantly increased in CHB patients in compare to healthy controls.


CONCLUSIONS
According to this result, it may be concluded that high serum levels of TGF-β may be a mechanism by which immune response against HBV is suppressed.
Molecular Medicine Research Center, Rafsanjan University of Medical Sciences, Rafsanjan, IR Iran.
Hossein
H
Khorramdelazad
Gholamhossein
G
Hassanshahi
Behzad
B
Nasiri Ahmadabadi
Mohammad
M
Kazemi Arababadi
Hepatitis B, Chronic; Transforming Growth Factor Beta