Plasma TGF-beta, hyaluronic acid and procollagen-III-peptide levels as fibrosis markers in chronic hepatitis C

Aim: It is known that even mild chronic hepatitis C can be associated with severe fibrosis, that require antiviral treatment. As interferon (IFN) has antifibrotic effect, our aims were to study different fibrosis markers that would be useful for noninvasive follow-up of patients with chronic hepatitis C during IFN therapy. Methods: Plasma levels of TGF-beta, hyaluronic acid (HA) and procollagen-III-peptide (P-III-P) have been measured by ELISA or RIA in 47 patients with chronic hepatitis C, in 18 responders previously treated with IFN, in 27 asymptomatic HCV carriers and in 30 healthy controls. The relationship…