Estrogens exert a protective effect against hepatic steatosis and
fibrosis. Loss of
estrogen receptor-alpha (ER-α) in the liver is associated with hepatic steatosis and
inflammation in animal models. We conducted a study in order to investigate the presence and extent of ER-α expression in HCV
infection, and its relationship with histological and biochemical findings. Ninety biopsy-proven
chronic hepatitis C (CHC) patients were enrolled in the study. Liver biopsy specimens were immunohistochemically stained for ER-α expression. Nuclear ER-α expression percentage was calculated. ER-α was positive in 69 of the patients (76%). ER-α positive and negative groups were not significantly different in terms of age, gender, necroinflammatory activity,
fibrosis, steatosis, serum levels of AST, ALT, ALP, GGT, and
bilirubin. ER-α expression percentage was not correlated with
fibrosis, steatosis, necroinflammatory activity and biochemical findings. Although
estrogens are known to be protective against
fibrosis and steatosis in animal models, we did not find any significant correlation between ER-α expression and histopathological and biochemical findings in CHC patients. These findings should be verified in further large scale studies.