title: Viral load is associated with abnormal serum levels of micronutrients and glutathione and glutathione-dependent enzymes in genotype 3 HCV patients.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Oxidative stress in hepatitis C patients has been linked to hepatitis C virus. We verified this assumption in HCV genotype 3 patients by detecting the relationship between viral load and certain specific oxidative stress markers like Cu, Mn, Fe, Se, Zn and glutathione and glutathione-dependent enzymes.
  
  
  METHODS
  Subjects (n = 200, average age 24 years) with quantitative HCV RNA polymerase chain reaction-proven genotype 3 hepatitis C were simultaneously evaluated. Cu, Mn, Fe, Se and Zn serum levels were by using atomic absorption spectrophotometer. Internationally accepted methods were used for viral load quantification of glutathione, GR and Gpx serum levels.
  
  
  RESULTS
  There was a significant correlation between HCV viral load and studied parameters. With the increase of viral load from mild group (200,000-1,000,000 copies/ml) to severe group (5,000,000-25,000,000 copies/ml) the serum levels of Cu, Mn, Zn, and Fe and glutathione reductase were found to be abnormally high. However, in severe viral load group serum concentration of Se and glutathione was less than the healthy controls.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  As a significant correlation was detected between the study parameters in genotype 3 HCV patients, it is concluded that the studied micronutrients and glutathione and glutathione-dependent enzymes are the biomolecular targets of HCV to induce oxidative stress.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Constant monitoring and regulation of the recommended biomolecular targets of HCV can improve the plight of more than 170 million patients suffering from hepatitis C virus around the globe.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology, The University of Lahore, Pakistan.
authors.forename: Zarish
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Razzaq
authors.affiliation: Institute of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology, The University of Lahore, Pakistan.
authors.forename: Arif
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Malik
keywords: Glutathione; Glutathione peroxidase; Glutathione reductase; Hepatitis C viral load; Micronutrients