Effect of lamivudine treatment on plasma levels of transforming growth factor β1, tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinases-1 and metalloproteinase-1 in patients with chronic hepatitis B

Table 5 Activities of alanine and aspartate aminotransferases during the treatment (0, 24 and 48 wk) and 24 wk after its completion (week 72) in four groups (mean ± SE)

	ALT (U/l)				AST (U/L)
	0	24	48	72	0	24	48	72
Group I	87.0 ± 24.5	25.2 ± 5.0	23.0 ± 4.8	23.2 ± 4.9	79.8 ± 15.9	30.2 ± 6.7	28.0 ± 6.4	27.0 ± 6.1
Group II	108.5 ± 53	32.5 ± 9.5	31.9 ± 7.5	31.7 ± 5.7	66.7 ± 24.8	44.2 ± 12.7	32.1 ± 4.8	29.8 ± 3.8
Group III	127.0 ± 43.4	38.7 ± 8.2	78.0 ± 30.1a	88.2 ± 34b	117 ± 47.2	39.2 ± 8.8	60.5 ± 15.9	63.5 ± 22a
Group IV	101.0 ± 11.8	78.6 ± 8.3	69.2 ± 6.3b	68.5 ± 4.2b	65.9 ± 6.4	65.2 ± 21.2	59.7 ± 8.4	58.7 ± 3.9a

Statistical significance in comparison with group I (complete response to treatment):

^aP < 0.05,

^bP < 0.001 vs other groups.