الفهرس 
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Abstract
Iron is an essential metal that functions as a component of
oxygen-carrying proteins and of redox enzymes in cellular
metabolism. However, excessive iron evokes inflammatory cytokines,
reactive oxygen species (ROS), and fibrosis by activating
inflammatory cells and hepatic stellate Cells
Chronic HCV infection is also characterized by iron deposition in the
liver, which contributes to liver injury. Withdrawal of iron by
phlebotomy improves liver function tests and decreases hepatocellular
carcinoma HCC development in HCV-infected patients.
Growth differentiation factor 15 GDF15 is a member of the TGF β
superfamily. Expression of GDF-15 in nearly all tissues suggests its
general importance in essential cellular functions. GDF15 has been
proposed as a biomarker of heart disease, kidney disease, and cancers;
however, its exact biological functions remain poorly understood.
GDF 15 is increased in patients with ineffective erythropoiesis, but
not in diseases associated with increased erythropoiesis without
increased intramedullary apoptosis (e.g. hemolytic anemia). GDF15
could, therefore, constitute a marker for ineffective erythropoiesis in
the differential diagnosis of cases of unexplained anemia
The study is designed to determine expression of GDF15 in chronic
HCV patients and associated iron loading.
This study included 70 individual; 50 were CHC patients (40 anemic
and 10 non anemic) and 10 idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura
(ITP) patients as control for BM expression of GDF15. In addition 10