Cell adhesion molecules and hyaluronic acid as markers of inflammation, fibrosis and response to antiviral therapy in chronic hepatitis C patients

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: Cell adhesion molecules (intracellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1), vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1)) and hyaluronic acid, markers of inflammation and fibrosis were monitored in hepatitis C patients to determine whether changes in plasma levels, during antiviral treatment, can predict long-term response to therapy. METHODS: In 55 patients with chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV), 33 treated with interferon (IFN) and 22 treated with IFN + ribavirin, sera was collected prior to treatment, at 3 + 6 months of therapy and 6 months post-treatment. Levels of ICAM-1, VCAM-1 and hyaluronic acid were correlated with alanine aminotransferase levels, HCV-RNA-polymerase chain reaction status and histological fibrosis scoring. RESULTS: A decrease in ICAM-1 levels at 3 and 6 months of therapy, compared with pretreatment levels, was observed in responders to IFN + ribavirin therapy but this decrease in ICAM-1 levels was not evident following cessation of treatment. Hyaluronic acid levels, in both treatment groups, did not differ significantly between responders and non-responders. Hyaluronic acid levels did correlate, significantly, with degree of fibrosis whereas VCAM-1 levels were marginally increased only in patients with moderate (grade III) fibrosis. CONCLUSIONS: Monitoring of VCAM-1 and hyaluronic acid, during antiviral therapy, does not differentiate between responders and non-responders. A decrease in ICAM-1 levels during IFN + ribavirin treatment is associated with response to therapy, and its efficacy in predicting long-term response should be further substantiated.

sPECAM-1 and sVCAM-1: role in pathogenesis and diagnosis of chronic hepatitis C and association with response to antiviral therapy

“…Nevertheless, the lack of significant difference between responders and nonresponders indicates that the persistence of viremia has no influence on PECAM-1 and VCAM-1 expression and therefore they are not a feasible indicator of virus persistence. With respect to sVCAM-1, the results are comparable to Dejica et al [2002] and Granot et al [2001]. Moreover, our study confirmed observations of Granot et al [2001] which revealed the lack of association between sVCAM-1 concentrations and ALT activity during antiviral therapy.…”

“…With respect to sVCAM-1, the results are comparable to Dejica et al [2002] and Granot et al [2001]. Moreover, our study confirmed observations of Granot et al [2001] which revealed the lack of association between sVCAM-1 concentrations and ALT activity during antiviral therapy.…”

“…On admission, sVCAM-1 values did not differ between responders and nonresponders and these results correspond with data by Dejica et al [2002] and Granot et al [2001]. Similarly, sPECAM-1 concentrations did not differ between these groups.…”

“…It is thought that VCAM-1 can play a certain role in these processes [Friedmann, 2003]. Consistent with Granot et al [2001], in our investigation no association between fibrosis stage and sVCAM-1 concentration was observed, although slightly higher levels were found in patients with bridging fibrosis. In the above-mentioned study, the highest sVCAM-1 levels occurred in patients with liver cirrhosis.…”

Adhesive molecules and inflammatory markers among hepatitis C virus Saudi patients

“…Many previous studies reported increased sICAM-1 and sVCAM-1 values in patients with inflammatory diseases of the liver (34)(35)(36)(37)(38). While, elevated serum VCAM-1 in chronic hepatitis have been reported by some authors (39,40).…”