The transferrin isoforms in chronic hepatitis

Background: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of chronic hepatitis on the serum profile of transferrin isoforms.

Methods: Tested group consist of 160 patients with chronic hepatitis. The samples were analyzed by capillary electrophoresis on MINICAP electrophoretic system (Sebia, France).

Results: In patients with chronic hepatitis tetrasialotransferrin level was increased (P=0.002) and pentasialotransferrin decreased (P=0.009). Moreover, statistical analysis revealed that trisialotransferrin level was different according to the grade of portal/periportal activity (P=0.009), the grade of lobular activity (P=0.004) and the stage of fibrosis (P=0.022). There were no differences in tetrasialotransferrin and pentasialotransferrin according to the advancement of hepatitis activity and the stage of fibrosis (P>0.05 for all comparisons).

Conclusions: We conclude that chronic hepatitis affect the serum profile of transferrin isoforms, but only trisialotransferrin level could be useful in determining progression of chronic hepatitis and the stage of fibrosis.