Biochemical evaluation of the combination of Pegylated IFN-α2b and Ribavarin therapy of Egyptian patients suffering from Hepatitis C Virus

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the biochemical parameters and cytokines levels in infected Egyptian patient. This study was conducted on 32 patients. 25 of them were suffering from chronic HCV and the other 7 males are selfreported healthy volunteers. They were classified as the following: Group I (control healthy group), Group II (HCV-non treated group) Group III-Group VI (HCV-treated with 12,24,36,48 ampoule of interferon). The obtained results showed a significant increase in the activities of serum liver marker enzymes ALT, AST and ALP, cytokines Il2, Il4 and Il10, also a significant increase was observed in serum Ferritin and Alpha feto protein. On the other hand, a significant decrease in both sera total protein and albumin level. Whereas administration of combination of Pegylated IFN-α2b and Ribavarin significantly improved the alert in the biochemical parameters. These results suggested that, combination therapy of both peg-interferon and ribavirin, emphasizing the influence of these compounds for patient with HCV, possibly preventing alteration of enzymes of liver activities. Because peg-interferon treatment can reduce liver injury and anti-inflammatory effect, as well as by decreasing plasma cytokine as cytokines, is present in patients with HCV liver disease. Furthermore, treatment with IFN-α diminishes the Th2 cytokine response. Thus, modulation of T-cell function and cytokine production may be one mechanism whereby IFN-α therapy results in reduced viral burden.