Serum Retinol Level in Patients with Chronic Liver Disease

Retinol is a fat-soluble vitamin which plays an essential role in vision, normal bone and tooth development, reproduction, and the health of skin and mucous membranes. Also possesses an anti-tumor roleChronic HCV infection is a major risk factor for HCC., the rate of HCC development among HCV-infected persons ranges between 1% and 3% after 30 years . HCV increases HCC risk by promoting fibrosis and eventually cirrhosisSerum retinol levels are lower in patients with chronic liver disease and have also shown that this decrease is directly related to the severity of liver disease. low serum retinol levels have a role in the development of malignancy (HCC) suggesting that supplementation may be of benefit