The role of myeloperoxidase in hepatitis C virus infection and associated liver cirrhosis.

Myeloperoxidase (MPO) is an important enzyme that found in neutrophils and involved in reactive oxygen species (ROS) production. The aim of the current study was to clarify the potential role of MPO in oxidative stress and liver fibrosis associated with hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection. This study was conducted on 90 subjects, 10 normal con- trols and 80 patients having HCV infection classified into chronic hepatitis C without cirrhosis (CHC) (50 cases) and CHC with cirrhosis (LC) (30 cases). Myeloperoxidase was assessed in plasma by ELISA technique and in liver tissue by immunohistochemistry. Malondialdehye (MDA), as a marker of lipid peroxidation and oxidative stress was also measured in plasma by spectrophotometric assay. Results revealed significant increase of both plasma and hepatic tissue MPO in cirrhotic patients compared to either controls or CHC patients (p<0.05). Plasma and tissue MPO showed significant direct correlation with liver aminotransferases (ALT and AST), MDA and stage of hepatic fibrosis. Regression analysis revealed that both plasma and tissue MPO are independent determinant for MDA and stage of hepatic fibrosis. The results incrimi- nate MPO in oxidative stress that causes tissue damage in chronic HCV patients and the subsequent development of he- patic cirrhosis.