Toll-like Receptor-8, Liver Enzymes and some Antioxidant Markers among Hepatitis C Virus infected Subjects in Kano Metropolis

Abstract

Background: Hepatitis C virus (HCV) remains a major global health issue, contributing to significant hepatic damage. The quest to avert morbidity and mortality-related complications requires concerted efforts of researchers through exploring Toll-like receptor-8 (TLR8), superoxide dismutase (SOD), and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) biomarkers. The aim of the study was to assess TLR8, some liver enzymes, and some antioxidant markers among subjects with HCV infection in Kano metropolis.

Methodology: One hundred and twenty subjects comprising of 80 HCV cases and 40 healthy individuals as controls participated in this study. Serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT), Aspartate aminotransferase (AST), Alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and Gamma glutamyl Transferase (GGT) were determined using enzymatic kinetic methods, while serum TLR8, SOD and GPx were measured using sandwich ELISA technique and body mass index (BMI) was calculated using the weight and height of the subjects by standard method.

Results: The mean ALT and TLR8 were significantly higher, while SOD and GPx were significantly lower in HCV subjects compared with controls. BMI, AST, and ALP were not significant in HCV subjects compared with controls. There was a significant positive correlation between serum TLR8 and ALT (r=0.56, p=0.02), a significant negative correlation was observed between serum TLR8 and SOD (r=0.50, p=0.03). There was no significant correlation between TLR8 with AST, ALP, GGT and GPx (p > 0.05).

Conclusion: These findings suggest that increased TLR8 activity may be associated with hepatic inflammation and reduced antioxidant defense in HCV patients, highlighting the potential role of TLR8 and antioxidant marker in HCV pathogenesis.