[Hepatocytes growth factor (HGF), leptin, neopterin serum concentrations in patients with chronic hepatitis C]

In 18 patients with chronic hepatitis C we evaluated leptin (with IRMA method) and HGF and neopterin (with ELISA method) serum concentrations. Concentrations of leptin, HGF and neopterin were higher than in the control group. Leptin serum concentrations correlated with liver biopsy inflammatory grading, but higher HGF concentrations were connected with fibrosis staging. Neopterin correlated with both parameters and GGTP activity.increased neopterin concentrations could inform about liver inflammation activity; leptin and HGF serum concentrations could reflect the liver damage intensity.