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Background and Aims: Hepatitis C virus (HCV) is an important infectious disease that imposes a significant burden on healthcare systems. Determining the prevalence of HCV genotypes in a area is essential for the successful implementation of HCV elimination programs and allocation of financial resources to direct‐acting antiviral direct‐acting antivirals (DAA) treatments against prevalent HCV genotypes. Accordingly, we conducted a registry‐based cross‐sectional cohort study to investigate the prevalence of HCV genotypes and factors associated with cirrhosis, fatty liver, and viral load in Kermanshah Province, Western Iran. Methods: Patients presenting to the Hepatitis Clinic of the Research Center for Infectious Diseases affiliated with Kermanshah University of Medical Sciences between 1999 and 2023 were enrolled in this study. Serum samples were collected to assess HCV genotypes and viral load. Additionally, demographic data and the status of cirrhosis and fatty liver were extracted from the registry system records throughout the study period. Results: Records of 828 patients with an average age of 40.38 ± 11.72 years (range: 11–80 years) were included in the study that 721 individuals were male, and 107 were female. The prevalence of fatty liver and cirrhosis was 30.3% and 12.9%, respectively. Four genotypes (1, 2, 3, and 4) and four subtypes (1a, 1b, 3a, and 3b) were identified, with subtype 3a (55.7%) being the most prevalent, followed by subtype 1a (34.3%). None of the variables including age, gender, viral load level, and genotypes 1 and 3 were associated with fatty liver or cirrhosis. However, age, gender, and genotype were correlated with the viral load (p ≤ 0.05). Conclusion: The most common HCV subtypes in Kermanshah were 3a and 1a. Genotypes 2 and 4 were identified in one case each. Further studies on identifying HCV subtypes in different regions of the country are recommended to manage HCV infection and predict the prognosis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Objectives: Ethanol has shown strong neurodegenerative consequences in brain that are associated with oxidative stress. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of silymarin on oxidative stress, anxiety, and learning disorder induced by ethanol in rats. Materials and Methods: In this experimental study, 35 male Wistar rats with 200gr average weight were divided into five groups. The control group and four groups that received 4 gr/kg ethanol for 14 days. Three treatment groups were treated with doses of 50, 100, and 150 mg/kg silymarin for 14 days, respectively. Cognitive impairment and anxiety were assessed. The average activity of catalase and superoxide dismutase enzymes and glutathione (GSH) level in the hippocampus were also assessed. Data were analyzed using one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) and Turkey's post hoc test. Results: Ethanol consumption significantly decreased the discrimination index (p<0.001), the percentage of open arm time (%OAT) (p<0.001), and the percentage of open arm entry (%OAE) (p=0.007) compared to the control group. Also, it reduced the activity of antioxidants catalase (p<0.001), superoxide dismutase (p=0.002), and glutathione level (p<0.001) compared to the control group, while silymarin consumption with dose 150 mg/kg significantly increased the discrimination index, OAE (p=0.022), and OAT (p=0.023) compared to the ethanol group. Also, it increased antioxidant activity of catalase (p=0.008), superoxide dismutase (p=0.030), and glutathione (p<0.001) compared to the ethanol group. Conclusion: Silymarin may protect the hippocampus against behavioral disorder induced by ethanol consumption by increasing the level of antioxidants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Competing Interests: The authors declare no potential conflicts of interest.