In this project, the investigators aim to study the role of biliverdin reductase A (BLVRA) in HCV infected patients prior and during/after standard antiviral therapy in association with viral clearance, disease progression and treatment response and in comparison with healthy subjects.

1. To analyze biliverdin reductase (BLVRA) expression in the liver of HVC infected patients undergoing liver biopsy followed by standard antiviral treatment (peg-interferon plus ribavirin combination therapy) and patients with other forms of liver diseases undergoing liver biopsy as controls.
2. To analyze BLVRA expression in peripheral blood leukocytes (PBL) of therapeutically naïve HCV patients, during/after standard antiviral therapy and healthy controls.
3. To analyze BVLRA genetic polymorphisms both in HCV infected patients and healthy controls.

Inclusion Criteria:

BLVRA expression study

• Therapeutically naïve HCV patients undergoing antiviral treatment with peg-interferon plus ribavirin combination therapy

BLVRA genetic polymorphisms study

• HCV infected patients prior, during, after or without antiviral therapy

Exclusion Criteria:

• Co-infection with HAV, HBV and HIV
• Disorders of heme metabolism

Estimated enrollment: BLVRA expression study: 50 - 100 HCV patients 50 healthy volunteers Polymorphisms of BLVRA study: 300 HCV patients