Association of Retinol binding protein 4 (RbP4) polymorphisms with hepatocellular carcinoma and chronic liver disease among Egyptian patients | ||
| African Journal of Biological Sciences | ||
| Articles in Press, Accepted Manuscript, Available Online from 18 October 2025 | ||
| Document Type: Original Article | ||
| DOI: 10.21608/ajbs.2025.428636.1141 | ||
| Author | ||
| Moustafa A. Sakr* | ||
| Molecular Diagnostics and Therapeutics Department, Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology Research Institute (GEBRI), University of Sadat City (USC), Egypt. | ||
| Abstract | ||
| This study sought to investigate Retinol Binding Protein 4 (RBP4) as a potential biomarker for chronic liver diseases (CLD) in Egypt. A cross-sectional analysis included 36 patients with CLD (such as hepatitis, cirrhosis, and NAFLD), 40 patients diagnosed with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), and 40 healthy controls. Participants underwent medical history assessments, blood tests, liver function tests (ALT, AST), and imaging. RBP4 gene polymorphisms were evaluated using ARMS-Tetra Primer PCR, revealing no significant differences in genotype or allele frequencies across the groups. Serum RBP4 levels, measured by ELISA, were significantly higher in the patient groups compared to controls (p < 0.01). Additionally, RBP4 levels correlated with markers of liver function, suggesting its promise as a diagnostic and prognostic indicator. The study found no link between RBP4 polymorphisms (Rs10882273 and Rs10882283) and the risk of HCC or CLD. It recommends integrating RBP4 testing into routine diagnostic panels for liver disease, alongside other liver function tests, to improve disease severity assessment. Further research is warranted to explore the longitudinal role of RBP4 and its involvement in metabolic disorders. | ||
| Keywords | ||
| Chronic liver diseases; Egypt; Hepatitis | ||
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