Hepatocyte steatosis in HCV patients promotes fibrosis by enhancing TGF-β liver expression

Aim: The objective of this study was to examine the relationship between TGF-beta expression in steatotic liver and the stage and yearly progression rate of fibrosis in chronic hepatitis C (CHC) patients. Methods: We examined 44 CHC fatty liver patients, using 76 non-steatotic CHC patients as controls. The stage of hepatic fibrosis was assessed on a score scale. TGF-beta expression was determined with the use of monoclonal serum and the ABC three-step method. Results: We demonstrated a positive correlation of steatosis with the stage of fibrosis (P < 0.05). No relationship of thiskind was found with the yearly progression rate of fibrosis (P > 0.09). In steatotic biopsies, TGF-beta expression index in portal spaces and lobules was found to be higher as compared to TGF-beta expression in biopsies without steatosis (P < 0.05). Conclusion: In CHC patients steatosis induces the development of fibrosis by elevating the hepatic expression of TGF-beta.