Comparison of Selenium Levels in HCV- Infected Patients at Different Stages of Disease

The incidence of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is rising worldwide.One important etiology is a chronic inflammation due to hepatitis c (hcv) infection. Over the steps of a chronic inflammation over the stadium of cirrhosis of the liver it is possible that neoplastic nodules appear in the liver which can rise up to a HCC. In the pathogenesis of HCC oxidative stress seems to play an important role and as selenium is a key micronutrient in this process its levels could differ between the different stages of disease in hcv- infected patients. The aim of this trial is to examine these differences.

Sex

Male

Minimum age

18 Years

Maximum age

80 Years

Inclusion Criteria:

* patients with chronic hepatitis c- infection: no cirrhosis of the liver (= Desmet IV), no HCC - suspected lesion in the liver
* patients with hcv- associated cirrhosis of the liver: - cirrhosis of the liver confirmed by ultrasound, CT/MRI imaging or biopsy, all child - stages
* patients with hcv- associated HCC: diagnosis of HCC according to the AASLD criteria, HCC has not been treated at the time of enrollment, all BCLC- /UICC- stages.
* for all three groups: diagnosis of the chronic hcv- infection with virus rna and serologic parameters (anti-hcv) and abnormal liver function for more than 6 months, no antiviral treatment during the last 6 months

Exclusion Criteria:

* application of dietary supplements
* excessive alcohol consumption
* all other etiologies leading to a liver injury
* patients with an acute-phase- reaction, SIRS or patients in intensive care units
* extrahepatic neoplasm
* rheumatic disease apart from hcv- associated immunologic phenomena
* diabetes mellitus I and II
* immunological diseases

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