Relation of insulin resistance (IR) with viral etiology and blood level of cytokines in patients with liver diseases

M. Irshad*, Asif Iqbal, M.A. Ansari and Raghavendra L.

Clinical Biochemistry Division, Department of Laboratory Medicine, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi-110029, INDIA.

*Corresponding Author E-mail: drirshad54@yahoo.com

Accepted 27 March, 2013

Abstract

Patients with liver diseases usually show a rise in insulin resistance (IR) leading to occurrence of DM2. Although, IR level depends on etiology, however, there is very little information available on IR in liver diseases caused by hepatitis viral infections. Present study was designed to investigate the occurrence of level of IR in patients with different liver disease and relate its level to viral etiology and cytokines level to explain the underlying mechanism. IR level was calculated using HOMA-IR formula. Blood analysis for insulin, C-peptide and cytokine level and hepatitis serology were done using EIA procedure. Our observations demonstrated raised IR level in all disease groups in comparison to healthy population. However, we could not find a definite relation of IR with viral etiology, C-peptide and cytokines level in these patients. The random changes in some parameters are not adequate for any explanation. IR is raised in liver diseases, however, appears to be related more to disease condition than etiology or cytokines level.

Keywords:  Hepatitis, HBV, HCV, Cytokines, Insulin Resistance, HOMA-IR.