Lipoprotein(a) concentration in patients with chronic active hepatitis C before and after interferon treatment.
Patients with chronic active hepatitis C show low lipoprotein(a) (Lp[a]) values. We studied the changes in Lp(a) levels caused by treatment with interferon in 24 patients (9 men and 15 women; mean age, 56.8 +/- 7.3 years) affected by chronic active hepatitis C. Fifteen healthy subjects (6 men and 9 women; mean age, 57.4 +/- 10.3 years) were used as controls. All of the patients with chronic hepatitis C were treated with intramuscular interferon, 3 million units 3 times per week for 6 months. These patients had lower baseline serum Lp(a) concentrations than the controls (4.8 +/- 3.8 mg/dL vs 13.4 +/- 10.3 mg/dL, respectively; P = 0.0007). A significant increase in Lp(a) levels (6.6 +/- 7.2 mg/dL; P = 0.05) occurred after 6 months of treatment in patients with chronic active hepatitis C. Only complete responders presented a significant increase in Lp(a) values (P = 0.01). We believe that increased Lp(a) levels represent an expression of improved liver functions.
Malaguarnera
M
M
Department of Internal Medicine and Geriatrics, University of Catania, Italy.
Giugno
I
I
Trovato
B A
BA
Panebianco
M P
MP
Siciliano
R
R
Ruello
P
P
D000368:Aged; D000998:Antiviral Agents / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005260:Female; D006526:Hepatitis C / Q000097:blood* / Q000628:therapy; D006521:Hepatitis, Chronic / Q000097:blood* / Q000628:therapy; D006801:Humans; D007370:Interferon Type I / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D017270:Lipoprotein(a) / Q000097:blood*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011994:Recombinant Proteins
D000998:Antiviral Agents; D007370:Interferon Type I; D017270:Lipoprotein(a); D011994:Recombinant Proteins