This study evaluated hepatic expression of both Fas and Fas ligand (FasL) in patients with hepatitis c virus (HCV)-induced chronic liver disease and its correlation with the histopathological activity and laboratory parameters as an early predictor
of advancement of the disease. The selected patients were (39) males and (21) females, their ages ranged from
(20-67years) with a mean of 43.5±4.5 years, as well as (10) subjects (normal individuals) serving as a control group. They were (7) males and (3) females, their age ranged from (26-53 years) with a mean of 39.5±7.3 years. Patients were grouped as (1) Chronic hepatitis (CH) group including (30) patients with chronic viral hepatitis C. (2) Liver cirrhosis (LC) group including (30) patients with post hepatitis C cirrhosis. Liver biopsy was done for all subjects using an automated 18-gauge true cut needle. Sections were stained with Haematoxylin and Eosin for histopathological diagnosis and with Maisson and Trichrome for assessment of fibrosis. Unstained paraffin sections from each case were subjected for immuno-histochemical procedures using indirect immunoflourescence technique for detection of apoptotic hepatic and lymphocytic cells using monoclonal antibodies. Semiquantitative analysis of the pattern and distribution of the Fas antigen and Fas Ligand as indicators for hepatic apoptosis was studied and assessed.