Cross talk of serum elements, cardiac and liver enzymes in patients with HCV chronic hepatitis and hepatocellular carcinoma in Pakistani population

Abstract

HCV-associated hepatic pathologies are now the frequent inducer of cardiac abnormalities because of cardio-hepatic interaction. Studies are going on to elucidate and highlight the possible factors involved in this complex interaction, but this paradigm is still unclear. Here, we aimed to explore the interrelationship among electrolytes, cardiac, and liver enzymes in HCV-associated hepatic abnormalities, including chronic hepatitis and hepatocellular carcinoma in the Pakistani population. 100 Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infected patients with liver disorders and 50 healthy individuals were recruited in the present analysis. Trace elements, ions, and enzyme concentrations were quantified via an automatic analyzer, while HCV was confirmed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Our results demonstrated that serum Ca++, Mg++, Fe++, Cl-, and PO4- levels were significantly increased in HCV patients with hepatic pathologies, including cirrhosis and carcinoma. Cardiac enzymes, including aspartate aminotransferase (AST), creatine kinase (CK2), and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) concentration, were also elevated in HCV patients. Furthermore, serum cholesterol and triglyceride levels significantly differed in HCV patients than in normal individuals. Impaired alkaline transaminase (ALT) and alkaline phosphatase levels in HCV patients further validate the HCV patients' hepatic pathologies. Interestingly, all these impaired factors were positively correlated with the progression of hepatic disorders. In conclusion, altered ionic concentrations, cardiac enzymes, and liver dysfunction markers suggest their significant relationship to HCV leading liver pathologies in the Pakistani population.