OBJECTIVETo investigate the relationship between hepatocyte apoptosis and the level of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) in hepatic tissue in the patients with chronic hepatitis B(Ct-IB).

METHODSWe observed 37 cases with CHB and 10 normal controls. Transferase-mediated-UTP-biotin nick-end labling (TUNEL) technique was used to detect apoptosis cells and immunohistochemical staining were also performed to investigate the expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) in biopsy samples. The serum level of ALT, HBV DNA, grading of necroinflammatory activity and staging of fibrosis were also assessed.

RESULTSHepatocytes in all CHB liver tissues were positively stained by TUNEL in various degree. In contrast, control tissues did not show DNA fragmentation. A significant correlation was seen between apoptosis index (AI) and necroinflammatory grading (r = 0.404, P = 0.015) and serum iNOS level (r = 0.465, P = 0.004). It did not correlate with fibrosis stage and serum alanine aminotransferase level.

CONCLUSIONThe oxidative stress in patients with CHB may reflected the apoptosis of hepatocyte. Apoptosis involves in liver injury of CHB, but with no significant correlation to serum level of ALT.