Circulating Glucose-Regulated Protein 78 Levels in Patients with Chronic Hepatitis B Infection

Abstract

Objectives: The role of endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress in the pathogenesis of hepatitis B virus (HBV) has been reported. However, serum levels of glucose-regulated protein (GRP) 78 which is an ER stress marker both in tissue and circulation have not been reported yet. This study aimed to evaluate serum GRP78 levels in patients with chronic HBV infection.

Materials and Methods: A total of 60 patients with HBV infection and 50 control subjects were included in this study. According to HBV-DNA levels, patients with HBV infection were subdivided into low, mild and high HBV-DNA subgroups (n=20, in each). Serum GRP78 level was measured by ELISA and then correlation analysis was performed between GRP78 and alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), HBV-DNA or hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg).

Results: HBsAg levels were significantly higher in each HBV subgroup compared to controls. ALT and AST levels were significantly increased in the high HBV-DNA subgroup. There was no significant difference in serum GRP78 level between controls and HBV subgroups and no correlation between serum GRP78 levels andother variables.

Conclusion: As a result of our study, there was no relationship between the serum level of GRP78 and the HBV infection parameters. Since ER stress is an important mechanism in HBV-related liver injury, other ER stress markers, such as GRP94, might be examined in future studies.