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Abstract
Hepatic fibrosis is a well- recognized complication of chronic hepatitis C.
Liver fibrosis is variable in severity and progression in patients.
It has been reported that smoking is associated with increased severity of hepatitic fibrosis in patients with chronic hepatitis C. Recent data suggest that cigarette smoking is related independently to increased histologic activity and hepatic fibrosis.
Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and its soluble tyrosine kinase receptor are reported to be over expressed in chronic hepatitis C patients who smoke, triggered by hypoxia.
This study was designed to evaluate the level of VEGF in CHC patients both smokers and non smokers and its relation to hepatic fibrosis.
Thirty patients with chronic hepatitis C were selected from those admitted to AIN SHAMS HOSPITAL, Internal medicine department.
Patients categorized into two equal groups:
Groups I: Smokers
Groups II: Non Smokers
Fifteen normal healthy volunteers were included as a control group.