The relationship between Fas antigen in liver tissue and histological activity index in patients with hepatitis C

Objective: To evaluate the possible role of apoptisis on liver injury in hepatitis C.Methods: The expression of Fas antigen in liver tissue were studied by immunohistochemical staining （SP method）, meanwhile, the histological activity index （HAI） were analyzed by knodels' method. Results: The Expression rate of Fas antigen in 69 patients infected with HCV was 74%, and the expression of Fas antigen was found mainly in the cytoplasm of hepatocytes. The positive staining cells were found particularly at the edges of piecemeal necrosis. Semiquatitative analysis revealed more expression of Fas antigen and higher HAI in liver tissues with active imflammalion than those without it （P＜0 05）. Conclusion: Our findings suggest that Fas antigen expression plays an important role in the inflammatory process of hepatitis C, especiaely in the active inflammation stage. Apoptosis, mediated through Fas antigen may be a type of hepatocyte necrosis in heptitis C.