Evaluation of Serum CTNN beta(1) and E-cadherin Levels in Hepatitis Patients

Abstract

Objectives: Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection is one of the leading causes of hepatocellular carcinoma, but the underlying molecular mechanisms are quite complex. In this study, the aim was to reveal the relationship of these parameters with HBV-DNA loads by evaluating serum CTNN beta, (beta-catenin) and E-cadherin levels in hepatitis B patients.

Materials and Methods: In this study, between the dates of June 15.06.2018-December 30.12.2019, 75 people who were diagnosed with chronic hepatitis B constituted the patient group (n=75), and 75 people who were not diagnosed with chronic hepatitis B constituted the healthy control group (n=75). In this retrospective study using a random sampling method, the hepatitis B patient group was classified into 3 separate groups among themselves according to HBV-DNA loads; HBV-DNA-1 (x10(6)-10(8), n=25), HBV-DNA-2 (x10(3)-10(4), n=25) and HBV-DNA-3 (x10(1)-10(2), n=25). While the level of serum beta-catenin and E-cadherin, the main parameters in the study, were measured using the ELISA method with a commercial kit, the Chemiluminescent Microparticle Immunoassay method was used to evaluate the serological markers in the patients. HBV-DNA level was determined by real-time polymerase chain reaction.

Results: In our study, the average age of individuals was 41.96 +/- 13.86 years in the control group and 36.72 +/- 16.3, 42.8 +/- 10.91 and 46.36 +/- 12.58 years in the HBV-DNA-1, 2, and 3 groups, respectively. The low age in the HBV-DNA-1 group compared to other groups was statistically significant (p=0.001; p<0.01). The values of E-cadherin were 44.57 +/- 29.61 ng/mL in the control group, and 42.76 +/- 23.23, 45.72 +/- 27.33 and 71.02 +/- 31.03 ng/mL in HBV-DNA-1, 2 and 3 groups, respectively. In addition, E-cadherin values were statistically significant in the HBV-DNA-3 group compared to other groups (p=0.001; p<0.01). The values of beta-catenin were 0.75 +/- 0.47 ng/ml. in the control group and were 1.05 +/- 0.63, 0.93 +/- 0.4 and 1.58 +/- 1.94 ng/mL in the DNA-1, 2, and 3 groups, respectively. The (-catenin value in the control group was found to be statistically significant compared to hepatitis B groups (p=0.001; p<0.01).

Conclusion: E-cadherin values were found to be significantly lower in the HBV-DNA-1 group with the highest viral load. There may be a loss of E-cadherin due to severe inflammation in this group. Monitoring the levels of beta-catenin and E-cadherin may be important for evaluating the possible risk and prognosis for liver carcinoma in these patients.