Abstract

Background and Aims: The aim of this study was to detect the substitutions Ser128Arg (A128C) and Leu554Phe (TS54C) which are responsible for E-selectin polymorphisms in patients with chronic hepatitis B and healthy controls. We investigated possible association of the Ser128Arg and LeuS54Phe gene polymorphisms in the E-selectin gene with susceptibility to chronic hepatitis B. Methods: Sixty-three patients with chronic hepatitis B virus infection and 150 healthy subjects were recruited sequentially as they presented to clinic. Classification of chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV)-infected patients was as asymptornatic carrier state (34 patients) and chronic hepatitis B (29 patients). Genomic DNA was isolated from anticoagulated peripheral blood Buffy coat using Miller's salting-out method. The presence of the E-selectin gene polymorphisms was determined by using polymerase chain reaction amplification refractory mutation system (ARMS). Results: Distribution of E-selectin 128 (A(+)C(-), A(+)C(+), A(-)C(+)) genotypes and E-selectin 554 (C+T-, T+C-, C+T+) genotypes were not statistically different in chronic hepatitis B patients and controls (P=0.41 and 0.96, respectively). Also, two groups had no significant difference in distribution of frequencies of allele 128A (P=0.41), 128C (P=0.15), allele 554C (P=0.85), and allele 554T (P=0.76). Carrying of allele 128A (OR=0.58, 95 CI=0.16-2.12), 128C (OR=1.52, 95 CI=0.84-2.74), 554C (OR=1.24,95 CI=0.12-12.08), and allele 554T (OR=0.88, 95 CI=0.38-2.01) were not risk factors for susceptibility to chronic hepatitis B infection. Conclusions: Carrying E-selectin gene polymorphisms of Ser128Arg and Leu554Phe is not considered risk factor for susceptibility to chronic hepatitis B infection.