الفهرس 
Microscopic structure of the liver
Patients & MethodsOnly 14 pages are availabe for public view
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Abstract
Viral hepatitis C is a world major health problem and egypt has mong highest prevalence rates of HCV in the world. There is apossible role for reactive oxygen species in the pathogenesis of chronic hepatiities c virus (HCV) infection. Metallothioneins (MTs) are a family of low moleucular weight proteins which play a major role in homeostasis of trace elements as well as scavenging free radicals.
The aim of this study was to assess the relation between hepatic Mt expression in chronic HCV infection and the outcome of liver disease
This study included liver biopsies from 41 chronic HCV infection and 20 controls. Immunohistochemical detection of MT expression was done and was significantly higher in controls compared with HCV infected patients higher in responders to interferon (IFN) therapy than non-responders and higher in patients without cirrhosis than patients with cirri hosis .Asignificant inverse correlation was also observed between MT expression level and fibrosis score and necro-inflammatory score.
Our results suggest that, there is a possible modulatory role for MT in the pathogenesis of chronic HCV infection and hepatic MT level could predict response to IFN therapy.