![]() | Only 14 pages are availabe for public view |
Abstract High prevalence of chronic liver diseases (CLD) and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) on the Nile banks of Egypt are mostly related to hepatitis C virus (HCV), schistosomiasis and aflatoxin exposure. chronic hepatitis C is often a progressive disease that can range from minimal lesions in HCV asymptomatic carriers, to chronic hepatitis (CH) of variable severity, fibrosis, cirrhosis, and eventually HCC. Treatment options for CLD in HCV carriers are problematic. To verify whether schistosomal infection and aflatoxin exposure are associated with HCV in progression of CLD in an Egyptian population remote from the Nile banks. To demonstrate the linkage between values of liver function tests and different grades of CLD in HCV carriers. To provide a comprehensive screening of the biochemical response to different treatment options for CLD in HCV carriers. Schistosomal hepatic infection and aflatoxin exposure are apparently associated with HCV in CLD incidence, but the disease progression seems to be related to aflatoxin exposure more than to schistosomal infection. Values of most liver function tests (ALT, AST, AST/ALT ratio, albumin, bilirubin, in addition to cholesterol, and glucose) seemed to be closely linked to the extent of CLD in HCV carriers. Periodic measurement of these variables may thus provide a simple method for predicting the progressive stages (PPF and cirrhosis) of CLD in HCV carriers. The yield of results in the current study confirms also that different treatment options for CLD in HCV are still problematic. However, the improvement of the liver functions obtained in the patients treated with AT may encourage further extensive studies to investigate and evaluate possible benefits of honeynigella as a reliable therapy for CLD in HCV carriers. |