The assosication between serum visfatin levels and histopathologic features in chronic hepatitis B, chronic hepatitis C and nonalcholic fatty liver disease.

Chronic hepatitis C (CHC), Chronic hepatitis B (CHB) and Non alcholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is common liver disease. Visfatin is a new adipokine involved in several inflammatory processes. The data concerning visfatin in CHC, CHB and NAFLD is too small. To assess visfatin serum concentration and to study its association with biochemical and morphological features in CHC, CHB and NAFLD and whether it is a diagnostic marker predict for inflammation and fibrosis. We prospectively evaluated 62 patients (CHC:21, CHB:20 and NAFLD:21) who consecutively underwent liver biopsy and and 21 healthy volunteers. Detailed epidemiological and laboratory data were recorded. Histological lesions were evaluated blindly according to the Ishak and the Brunt classifications for CHB/CHC and NAFLD, respectively. Serum visfatin levels were significantly lower in CHC:9,6 (1,5-61,1) ng/ml, in CHB: 18,9 (1,6-76,5) ng/ml and in NAFLD: 18,4 (0,6-63,4) ng/ml, when compared with controls (p<0,001, p=0,004, p<0,001, respectively). In CHC/CHB and NAFLD, there was no significant association any histologic lesions as steatosis, necroinflammation and fibrosis score with levels of visfatin. While there was no assosication between serum visfatin levels between insulin and HOMA-IR in NAFLD and CHB, there was a positive corelation in CHC. Also there was no association between viral load and serum visfatin levels in CHB and CHC. Serum visfatin concentrations decrases significiantly altogether patients groups in CHB/CHC and NAFLD. Visfatin may play a dual role as a protective and/or pro-inflammatory factor.Keywords: Visfatin, non alcholic fatty liver disease, chronic hepatitis.