Clinical significance of activity of ALT enzyme in patients with hepatitis C virus

Table 1 General characteristics of the study patients with HCV infection

Characteristic	Entire cohort (n = 36)
Female, n (%)	24 (66.6%)
Age (yr)	47.9 ± 13.2
Estimated duration of HCV infection (mo)	58 (24-120)
HCV RNA (IU/mL)	2471075 ± 2490186
Body mass index (kg/m2)	28.5 ± 3.9
Waist Circumference (cm)	98 ± 11
Fasting glucose (mg/dL)	96 ± 10
Haemoglobin (mg/dL)	13.9 ± 1.5
HOMA index	3.1 ± 2.4
Total cholesterol (mg/dL)	161 ± 36
HDL cholesterol (mg/dL)	48 ± 11
Triglycerides (mg/dL)	98 ± 41
Serum albumin (g/dL)	4.4 ± 0.3
Serum globulin (g/dL)	3.1 ± 0.6
Serum creatinine (mg/dL)	0.8 ± 0.2
AST (IU/L)	48 (32-67)
ALT (IU/L)	64 (34-80)
ALP (IU/L)	90 ± 33
GGT (IU/L)	45 (29-63)
LDH (IU/L)	184 ± 32
Total Bilirubin (mg/dL)	0.7 ± 0.3
Direct Bilirubin (mg/dL)	0.3 (0.2-0.4)
Platelet count (103/mm3)	202 ± 54
Ferritin (ng/mL)	45 (34-77)
Positive ANA, n (%)	2 (5.5%)
Positive AMA, n	0
Positive ASMA, n	0
Positive LKM-1, n	0

Data expressed as means ± SD, or median (interquartile range), as appropriate; HOMA: Homeostasis model assessment; HDL: High-density lipoprotein; AST: Aspartate aminotransferase; ALT: Alanine aminotransferase; ALP: Alkaline phosphatase; GGT: Gamma glutam.yl transpeptidase; LDH: Lactate dehydrogenase; ANA: Antinuclear antibodies; AMA: Antimitochondrial antibodies; ASMA: Anti-smooth muscle antibody; LKM-1: Liver-kidney microsomal antigen.

Table 2 Liver histology in the 36 study participants with HCV infection

Variable	Score
Hepatitis activity index	9.5 ± 3.7
Periportal necrosis with or without bridging necrosis	3.7 ± 2.2
Intralobular degeneration and focal necrosis	2.7 ± 1.1
Portal inflammation	3.0 ± 1.0
Fibrosis	1.9 ± 1.2