Assessment of tissue inhibitor metalloproteases-1 (timp-1 (as a biomarker in HCV patients

Egypt contains the highest prevalence of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection in the world. The goal of this study was to elucidate where tissue inhibitor metalloproteases-1 (TIMP-1) acts as a diagnostic biomarker of HCV infection and studying the effect of the treatment of interferon for different intervals on TIMP-1 levels with studying the relation of TIMP-1 with different liver markers. This study was carried out on 65 blood samples divided into six groups. TIMP-1 and different liver markers were assessed in all groups. There was significant increase in mRNA expression of TIMP-1 levels, all liver enzymes and bilirubin in HCV patients. Albumin, total protein and A/G ratio showed significant decrease. AFP showed insignificant increase in all groups. Treatment with interferon for 24 weeks caused good regression in TIMP-1 levels to nearly normal ranges which indicate the improvement effect of interferon on HCV patients. TIMP-1 had significant correlations with different liver markers. TIMP-1 can be considered as a diagnostic biomarker for HCV infection which can monitor the liver status.