Serum nitrite and nitrate concentrations in patirents with chronic viral hepatitis

ABSTRACT Serum nitrite and nitrate concentrations in patients with chronic viral hepatitis. Nitric oxide (NO) is a free radical gas molecule identified as a signaling molecule in every tissue in the body. It appears to play a central role in the pathogenesis of many inflammatory disorders. The role of NO in inflammation represents one of the most studied yet controversial subjects in physiology. ' There are many reports have demonstrated that NO possesses potent anti-inflammatory properties, whereas a number of studies suggest that NO may promote inflammation. Hepatitis B and C viruses cause acute and often chronic liver disease. Nitric oxide has many actions and cellular sources in liver and may mediate hepatocyte injury. But, in literature, there is confusing evidence that NO is either a primary mediator of liver cell injury or a potent protective mechanism against injurious stimuli. In this study we have analysed the serum levels of nitrite and nitrate from patients with chronic hepatitis B and C by using colorimetric method. Serum samples were obtained from 29 (26 male, 3 female) patients with chronic hepatitis B, 27 (13 male, 14 female) patients with chronic hepatitis C, and 25 (11 male, 14 female) mean blood pressure-matched healthy control subjects. Mean serum nitrite, nitrate and total nitrite+nitrate levels were 23,95±2,51, 23,95±2,51 and 53,30±2,86 micromol/L in control group, respectively. In HBV patients group, these levels were 20,1 1+1,78, 27, 12±1,84 and 47,23±2,54 micromol/L, respectively. In HCV patients group, these levels were 18,55+1,41, 26,54±1,34 and 45,10±2,22 micromol/L, respectively. As a result, although, these levels in hepatitis groups were lower than levels in control group, statistical analysis was shown that there were no significant differences between both groups. But total nitrite+nitrate levels of patients with hepatitis C were significantly lower than total nitrite+nitrate levels of control group. Keywords: Nitrate, Nitric oxide, Nitrite, Viral hepatitis VIII