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Introduction. Chemerin seems to be involved in pathogenesis of chronic hepatitis C (CHC). Hepatic expressions of chemerin and its receptor, chemokine receptor-like 1 (CMKLR1), in CHC have not been studied so far. Aim. To evaluate chemerin and CMKLR1 hepatic expression together with serum chemerin concentration in CHC patients and to assess their relationship with metabolic and histopathological abnormalities. Methods. The study included 63 nonobese CHC patients. Transcription of chemerin and CMKLR1 was assessed by quantitative real-time PCR, while serum chemerin was assessed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Results. Expression of chemerin and CMKLR1 was present in the liver of all CHC patients regardless of sex or age. This expression was not associated with necroinflammatory activity and steatosis grade, fibrosis stage, and metabolic abnormalities. There was a negative association between serum chemerin and chemerin hepatic expression (r = (−0.41), P = 0.006). Conclusion. The study for the first time confirmed a marked expression of chemerin and CMKLR1 in the liver of CHC patients. The study was performed using the homogenates of human liver tissue, so it is not possible to define whether hepatocytes or other cell types which are abundantly represented in the liver constitute the main source of chemerin and CMKLR1 mRNA.

Serum FGF21 levels increased in CHC patients, especially in those with steatosis and were associated with steatosis grade. FGF21 seems to be a useful diagnostic marker in determining hepatic steatosis in CHC. A negative association between serum RBP4 and necro-inflammatory activity indicates that disease severity may determine RBP4 levels.

Chronic hepatitis C (CHC) is accompanied by numerous metabolic disorders, partially associated with altered adipokine system regulation. Omentin (intelectin-1) is a novel adipokine known to play a pivotal role in metabolic regulation in CHC. In a group of 63 CHC patients (29 men/34 women) infected with genotype 1b, aged 6.6 ±14.6 years, serum omentin levels and its gene expression in liver tissue were examined and their association with metabolic and histopathological features was assessed. Serum omentin levels were significantly higher in CHC patients compared to controls (p < 0.001), regardless of sex, body mass index (BMI), insulin sensitivity and lipid concentrations. There was no correlation between serum omentin and omentin hepatic expression. Neither parameter was associated with any histological features. Serum omentin in non-obese CHC patients seems not to be related to metabolic disorders or liver pathology. Omentin hepatic expression shows no relationship with either serum omentin levels or histopathological features. This suggests different mechanisms regulating circulating omentin concentration and omentin hepatic expression in CHC.