Hepcidin/ferroportin expression levels involve efficacy of pegylated-interferon plus ribavirin in hepatitis C virus-infected liver

Figure 1 Expression levels of iron-metabolism-related genes in hepatitis C virus-infected liver in each genotype. The levels were measured by real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction. ^aP < 0.05 vs genotype1b, ^bP < 0.01 vs genotype1b, ^cP < 0.05 vs control, ^dP < 0.01 vs control.

Figure 2 Expression levels of hepcidin and ferroportin genes. A: Sustained virological response (SVR) vs non-SVR; B: Genotype 1b vs 2a/2b; C: RBV dose reduction (+) vs (−). The levels were measured by real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction. ^aP< 0.05 vs SVR, ^bP < 0.01 vs SVR, ^cP < 0.05 vs control, ^dP < 0.01 vs control.

Figure 3 Protein expression of hepcidin and ferroportin. A: Serum hepcidin levels measured by sensitive liquid chromatography/electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry (total hepcidin and its two isoforms, Hep-20 and Hep 25); B: Ferroportin levels in the liver measured by Western blotting. ^aP < 0.05 vs sustained virological response (SVR).

Figure 4 Expression levels of genes regulating hepcidin expression. The levels were measured by real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction. ^aP < 0.05 vs sustained virological response (SVR), ^bP < 0.01 vs SVR, ^dP < 0.01 vs control.