Relationship of serum adiponectin and resistin levels with the severity of liver fibrosis in patients with chronic hepatitis B

BACKGROUND: Recent research has closely linked adipocytokines to liver inflammation and fibrosis progression in patients with non-alcoholic liver disease. This study aimed to determine the relationship of serum adiponectin and resistin levels with the severity of liver fibrosis in patients with chronic hepatitis B (CHB), depending on the duration of antiviral therapy. METHODS: The cross-sectional study included 75 patients with CHB divided into two groups: the T1 group (undergoing antiviral therapy for up to 2 years) and the T2 group (undergoing antiviral therapy over 2 years). The control group consisted of 40 healthy people. Serum concentrations of adiponectin and resistin were estimated with the ELISA method, while the degree of liver fibrosis was determined using FIB-4 and APRI score. RESULTS: There were no statistically significant differences in the mean serum adiponectin levels in relation to the duration of antiviral therapy. Higher values of serum resistin concentration were confirmed in patients of the T1 group compared to healthy controls (p=0.001) and to the T2 group (p=0.031). The mean level of serum resistin concentration was significantly higher in the group of patients with a higher FIB-4 score (9.12±3.39 vs 5.58±3.36 ng/mL, p=0.001) and higher APRI score (17.45±3.96 ng/mL vs 4.82±1.11 ng/mL, p=0.001). A positive correlation was found between serum resistin levels and the degree of liver fibrosis (p<0.001). There was no significant difference between mean serum adiponectin levels according to the values of FIB-4 and APRI scores. CONCLUSIONS: Progression of liver fibrosis estimated by FIB4 and APRI scores as well as the length of antiviral treatment had a significant effect on serum resistin values in CHB patients on antiviral therapy.