Serum paraoxonase and arylesterase activities in various forms of hepatitis B virus infection

The aim of this study was to determine and evaluate the activity of paraoxonase and arylesterase enzymes in various clinical forms of hepatitis B infection and to investigate the correlation between these parameters and chronic disease course/fibrosis. Overall, 40 patients diagnosed as hepatitis B carriers (CIHBV), 40 chronic active hepatitis B (CAHBV) patients, and 40 healthy adults (control group) between 18 and 65 years of age were enrolled the study. Serum paraoxonase and arylesterase activities were measured spectrophotometrically. Their activities were significantly lower in patients with CAHBV compared with CIHBV patients or with control group patients (P0.05). The histology activity index of CAHBV patients did not correlate with paraoxonase and arylesterase activities (P>0.05). In light of these findings, it may be assumed that during the progression of an inactive hepatitis B carrier to being actively infected, reduced paraoxonase and arylesterase activities may be observed.