Some patients with chronic hepatitis C also demonstrate liver steatosis, but the mechanism remains elusive. To analyze the hepatic expression of phosphorylated kinase Akt at Thr 308 and phosphorylated GSK-3 (Glycogen synthase kinase-3) isoforms, GSK3α at Ser 21 and GSK3β at Ser 9, in chronic hepatitis C patients with normal body weight, glucose, and lipid profiles depending on homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) levels and histological parameters. The study group consisted of 31 patients with chronic hepatitis C. The hepatic expression of kinase Akt (Thr308), GSK3β (Ser9), and GSK3α (Ser21) was measured using Western blot assay. Liver steatosis was observed in 41.93% of patients with HCV infection, in those with increased HOMA-IR index (p = 0.02). However, the hepatic expression of Akt (Thr308), GSK3β (Ser9), and GSK3α (Ser21) was not related to progression of liver steatosis, inflammation, and fibrosis. There was no significant difference in the hepatic expression of kinase Akt (Thr308), GSK3β (Ser9), and GSK3α (Ser21) in relation to HOMA-IR. Liver steatosis was found to be positively associated with HOMA-IR levels in patients with chronic hepatitis C without metabolic disorders. However, the hepatic expression of Akt (Thr308), GSK3β (Ser9), and GSK3α (Ser21) did not correspond to progression of liver disease.
Keywords: Glycogen synthase kinase-3; hepatitis C virus (HCV); insulin resistance; kinase Akt.