Serum Lipoprotein Profiles and Response to Pegylated Interferon Plus Ribavirin Combination Therapy in Patients With Chronic HCV Genotype 1b Infection

Abstract

BackgroundAbnormal serum lipid profiles have been noted in patients with chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection. Moreover, many reports suggest that serum lipoprotein profiles are more profoundly distorted in patients with HCV G1b infection who have an unfavorable response to pegylated interferon (peg-IFN) plus ribavirin (RBV) combination therapy. However, after the discovery of single nucleotide polymorphisms near the IL28B gene (rs8099917 and rs12979860) as potent predictive factors affecting the response to peg-IFN plus RBV, lipid factors are thought to be confounding factors.ObjectivesTo re-examine the significance of lipoprotein profiles on virological response to peg-IFN plus RBV combination therapy in patients with chronic HCV G1b infection, we examined cholesterol and triglyceride concentrations in each lipoprotein fraction separated by high performance liquid chromatography.Patients and MethodsLipoprotein profiles were examined using fasting sera from 108 patients infected with HCV G1b who had chronic hepatitis, as determined by liver biopsy. Results of lipoprotein profiles and clinical data, including IL28B genotype and amino acid substitution at aa70 of HCV G1b, were compared between patients with a sustained virological response (SVR) and non-SVR or a non-virological response (NVR) and virological responses other than NVR (non-NVR). In addition, significant predictive factors independently associated with virological response to peg-IFNα-2b plus RBV were determined by logistic regression analysis.ResultsAn increased ratio of cholesterol/triglyceride in very low-density lipoprotein (odds ratio (OR) 3.03; 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.01-9.44) along with a major genotype of rs8099917 (OR 9.09; 95% CI 2.94-33.33), were independent predictive factors for SVR. In contrast, lipid factors were not elucidated as independent predictive factors for NVR.ConclusionsExamination of the fasting lipid profile has clinical importance in predicting the efficacy of peg-IFN-α-2b plus RBV combination therapy for patients with HCV G1b even after the discovery of the IL28 genotype as a potent predictive factor.

Treatment Response of Chronic Hepatitis C Patients and Health-Related Quality of Life

“…(31)(32)(33) On the other hand, several studies found that HCV genotype was the only significant predictor for treatment response. (34)(35)(36)(37) The study conducted by Yu et al (2008) in Taiwan showed that HCV genotype and rapid virologic response (RVR) were the strongest independent factors associated with a virologic response, followed by treatment duration and low baseline viral load. (21) Quality of life is a significant factor when making decisions about HC treatment.…”

Impact of Chronic Hepatitis C Virus Genotype 1b Infection on Triglyceride Concentration in Serum Lipoprotein Fractions

“…Alteration of lipid metabolism in HCV infection has been investigated, and it is clear that HCV infection predisposes an individual not only to dyslipidemia, but also to hepatic steatosis [ 1 ] and advanced fibrosis. Moreover, dysregulated lipid metabolism in chronic HCV infection may predict the efficacy of interferon (IFN)-based antiviral therapy [ 2 , 3 ]. Although many studies have reported abnormal serum lipid levels in HCV infection, especially low levels of total cholesterol (TC) [ 4 ] and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) [ 5 ], little is known about the serum triglyceride (TG) profile in HCV infection.…”

Clinical Evaluation and Serum Lipid Profile between Individuals with Acute Hepatitis C

“…HCV-infected patient's diagnosis and treatment has become a clinical challenge due to association of severe autoimmune features. The HCV infection history in terms of chronic toxicity and disease progression seems to be largely determined by the host immune response to virus-infected hepatocytes [5][6][7].…”