NLRP3 and fibrosis: There were significant increase in the mean expression levels of both IL-1β and NLRP3 in patients with early fibrosis (F0-F1-2); 31.97 ± 11.8, and 6.76 ± 2.18 respectively when compared with patients have advanced hepatic fibrosis stages (F2-F3); 2.62 ± 3.71, and 4.27 ± 2.99 respectively, (p < 0.001 for each).