OBJECTIVEThis study is aimed to investigate oxidative stress status in chronic hepatitis C (CHC) patients.

METHODS52 CHC patients were divided into two groups according to the serum level of alanine aminotransferase (ALT): group A (elevated ALT group) and group B (normal ALT group). 20 healthy controls were included in this study. Serum levels of xanthine oxidase (XOD), malondialdehyde (MDA), oxidizided glutathione (GSSG), glutathione (GSH), glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px), glutathione S-transferase (GST), glutathione reductase (GR) and vitamin C (Vc) were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).

RESULTSSerum levels of XOD, MDA, GST and GR increased in CHC patients compared with healthy controls. While, serum levels of GSH, GSH-Px and Vc decreased compared with healthy controls. Furthermore, serum levels of XOD, MDA, GSSG, GST and GR in group A were up-regulated compared with group B. Serum levels of GSH, GSH-Px and Vc in group A were down-regulated compared with group B. In CHC patients, serum ALT level positively correlated with serum levels of XOD, MDA, GSSG and GST, while, negatively correlated with serum levels of GSH, GSH-Px and Vc. Serum aspartate aminotransferase (AST) level positively correlated with serum levels of XOD, MDA, GSSG, GR and GST, while, negatively correlated with serum GSH-Px level in CHC patients. Serum gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase (GGT) level positively correlated with serum GR level and negatively correlated with serum GSH level in CHC patients. Serum alkaline phosphatase (AKP) level positively correlated with serum levels of MDA and GR in CHC patients. In CHC patients, serum XOD level was positively related with serum HCV RNA level.

CONCLUSIONOxidative stress was increased in CHC patients. In CHC patients with elevated serum ALT level, oxidative stress usually became serious.