Alanine aminotransferase and HCV-RNA responses following interferon therapy of HCV-RNA positive chronic hepatitis.
Interferon (IFN) has been shown to be effective for chronic hepatitis C. This study investigated changes of alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and HCV-RNA in chronic hepatitis C patients treated with alpha-IFN. IFN was given to 73 patients with HCV-RNA positive chronic hepatitis C. The pattern of changes in ALT activity after IFN administration was classified into five types. Type 1 was characterized by normalization of ALT (< or = 25 K.U) during IFN administration and sustained normalization after the IFN therapy. Type 2 involved a rebound of ALT after termination of IFN therapy and subsequent normalization. Type 3 had no ALT normalization during IFN administration, with normalization after the completion of the therapy. Type 4 involved transient normalization of ALT level during IFN therapy, with a subsequent reversion to abnormal levels after the termination of IFN therapy. Type 5 showed sustained abnormally high levels of ALT activity both during and after treatment. Twenty four patients (32.9%) had sustained normalization ALT (< or = 25 K.U) after the termination of IFN treatment. The HCV-RNA negative rate at 6 months after IFN therapy in patients with sustained normalization of ALT was 87.5% (21/24).
Arase
Y
Y
Department of Gastroenterology, Toranomon Hospital, Tokyo, Japan.
Kumada
H
H
Chayama
K
K
Tsubota
A
A
Ikeda
K
K
Saitoh
S
S
Sakai
Y
Y
Matsumoto
T
T
Kobayashi
M
M
D000328:Adult; D000410:Alanine Transaminase / Q000097:blood*; D002908:Chronic Disease; D004279:DNA, Viral / Q000097:blood*; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D016174:Hepacivirus / Q000235:genetics*; D006526:Hepatitis C / Q000097:blood / Q000628:therapy*; D006801:Humans; D016898:Interferon-alpha / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012008:Recurrence
D004279:DNA, Viral; D016898:Interferon-alpha; D000410:Alanine Transaminase