Evaluation of serum antioxidant capacity and liver functions in hepatitis b and c viral infections

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the serum antioxidant capacity and status of liver function parameters in Hepatitis B virus (HBV) and Hepatitis C Virus ( HCV) infected patients. METHODS: In this case-control study, fifty patients with HBV (28 male & 22 females), fifty HCV patients (28 male & 22 females) and age and gender matched fifty healthy controls were enrolled from May to August 2016. The antioxidant status was determined by measuring trolox equivalent oxidant capacity (TEAC) through the Ferric Reducing Ability of Plasma assay. Serum levels of alkaline phosphates (ALP), Alanine amino transferase (ALT) and Albumin were estimated. RESULTS: Serum ALT levels ( U/L) were 119.69 +/- 5.03 & 24.3 +/- 3.01 in male HBV patients and controls; 176.34 +/- 75.48 and 25 +/- 3.01 in female HBV patients & Controls; 114.71 +/- 5.03 and 22.61 +/- 2.33 in male HCV patients and controls and 165 +/- 5.03 & 25 +/- 3.01 in female HCV patients & Controls respectively. Serum ALP levels ( U/L) were 317.69 +/- 5.13, 240.17 +/- 23.9 in male HBV & controls, 159.34 +/- 5.03 & 138.4 +/- 3 in female HBV & Controls; 129.28 +/- 4.57, 230.47 +/- 33.5 in male HCV & controls and 169 +/- 3.65 and 165.10 +/- 5.70 in female HCV & Controls respectively (p<0.01). Serum TEAC ( g/mL) were 266.1 +/- 13.71, 413 +/- 18.21, 214.42 +/- 11.1, 395.71 +/- 16.33 in male HBV & control and female HBV & control respectively as compared to 264.6 +/- 14.55, 409.8 +/- 17.54, 273.4 +/- 13.84 and 395.5 +/- 14.23 in male HCV & control and female HCV & control respectively (p<0.01). CONCLUSION: A significantly high HBV & HCV induced oxidative stress and deranged liver parameters were observed in male and female patients, suggesting a possible association between viral pathogenesis and level of oxidative stress.