The Difference of Hypoxic Inducible Factor-1α, Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor, and Transforming Growth Factor-β1 Based on Liver Fibrosis Severity in Patients with Chronic Hepatitis B

Libya Husen; Gontar Alamsyah Siregar; Masrul Lubis

doi:10.3889/oamjms.2021.5639

Authors

Libya Husen Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Sumatera Utara, Medan, Indonesia
Gontar Alamsyah Siregar
Masrul Lubis Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Sumatera Utara, Medan, Indonesia

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.3889/oamjms.2021.5639

Keywords:

Chronic Hepatitis B, Hypoxic Inducible Factor-1α, Liver Fibrosis, Transforming Growth Factor-β1, Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Hepatitis B is a global health problem. The disease damages hepatocytes and creates tissue hypoxic condition. Hypoxia triggers production of several mediators such as hypoxic inducible factor (HIF)-1α, vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), and transforming growth factor (TGF)-β1. The mediators act in liver fibrosis and cirrhosis, and hepatocellular carcinoma.

AIM: The objective of the study was to determine the difference in serum HIF-1α, VEGF, and TGF-β1 levels based on liver fibrosis severity in patients with chronic hepatitis B.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: This cross-sectional study was performed in Haji Adam Malik Hospital Medan, Indonesia, from January to July 2020. Subjects were chronic hepatitis B patients aged 18 years or older. Exclusion criteria were other chronic diseases, malignancies, or pregnancy. Liver fibrosis was determined using shear wave elastography and categorized as follow: F1, F2, F3, and F4. Serum HIF-1α, VEGF, and TGF-β1 levels were measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Specimens were obtained from venous blood.

RESULTS: A total of 63 patients were enrolled in this study with mean age of 40.3 (SD 11.69) years. Subjects were dominated by males (58.7%). There were no differences in serum HIF-1α, VEGF, and TGF-β1 levels based on liver fibrosis grading and also based on hepatitis B envelope antigen (HBeAg) status and gender. Associations between liver fibrosis grading, HBeAg, and gender were absent. There was a positive correlation between liver fibrosis severity and age (r = 0.311, p = 0.013).

CONCLUSION: Serum HIF-1α, VEGF, and TGF-β1 levels were not different among chronic hepatitis B patients based on liver fibrosis severity.

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