title: Comparison of Vitamin D Levels in Naive, Treated, and Inactive Carriers with Chronic Hepatitis B Virus.
abstract: Background and Aims:During recent years, the relationship between vitamin D levels and chronic hepatitis B (CHB) infection has attracted many researchers' attention. However, the results relating to the association of vitamin D levels and HBV infection have been conflicting and there remains a lack of knowledge about the effects of antiviral treatments on vitamin D level.Methods:Eighty-four patients with CHB were assessed and divided into three groups: inactive carriers (n= 28), treated (n= 34), and new (treatment-naïve) cases (n= 22). Thirty-two healthy controls (HCs) were included to enable comparison with the CHB groups. The levels of vitamin D3 were measured and statistically compared among the various groups.Results:Male subjects had higher levels of vitamin D3 (41.25vs28.85,p< 0.01). No association was found among any of the groups when compared with the HC group. Despite the significant association, the HCs demonstrated a higher level of vitamin D3, which was lower in the treated group, the inactive carrier group, and the new cases group (new case [29.82] < inactive carrier [32.91] < treated [39.56] < control [44.88]). The HBV DNA levels were not associated with vitamin D3 levels in the inactive carriers (p= 0.171), the treated groups (p= 0.192), and the new cases (p= 0.369). Moreover, the alanine transaminase and aspartate transaminase levels were not associated with vitamin D3 levels for any of the HBV-infected groups.Conclusions:Vitamin D3 contributes to the clinical statues of CHB patients. There is also a possible correlation between clinically healthy CHB patients and vitamin D3 level.
authors.affiliation: Infectious Diseases and Tropical Medicine Research Center, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
authors.forename: Shahnaz
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Sali
authors.affiliation: Infectious Diseases and Tropical Medicine Research Center, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
authors.forename: Soheil
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Tavakolpour
authors.affiliation: Infectious Diseases and Tropical Medicine Research Center, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
authors.forename: Baharan
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Farkhondemehr
keywords: Chronic Hepatitis B; Hepatitis B virus; Vitamin D