Alcohol intake increases hepatitis C virus-induced hepatocellular injury.
To examine the effects of drinking on liver injury in anti-hepatitis C virus (HCV)-positive subjects, 3,062 HBs-negative subjects were divided into 9 groups according to anti-HCV-titer (second-generation passive hemagglutination) and alcohol intake. Serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT) or aspartate aminotransferase (AST) levels were analyzed by multiple-comparison test. In 2,826 anti-HCV-negative subjects and in 73 low titer (<2(12)) subjects (91% were HCV-RNA-negative), the mean ALT or AST of moderate drinkers (<46 g of ethanol/day) was not significantly higher than that of non-drinkers and all values were within normal limits. In 163 high-titer (> or = 2(12)) subjects (91% were HCV-RNA-positive), moderate drinkers showed significantly higher levels of mean ALT or AST than non-drinkers; 73 vs 44 IU/l or 56 vs 44 IU/l (p < 0.05). These data indicated that drinking increases hepatocellular injury in persistent HCV infection.
Katakami
Y
Y
Kobe City Nagata Public Health Center, Kobe.
Ohishi
H
H
Komatsu
H
H
Kirizuka
K
K
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000410:Alanine Transaminase / Q000097:blood; D000428:Alcohol Drinking / Q000009:adverse effects*; D001219:Aspartate Aminotransferases / Q000097:blood; D005260:Female; D016174:Hepacivirus / Q000235:genetics*; D006526:Hepatitis C / Q000097:blood* / Q000276:immunology / Q000821:virology; D018937:Hepatitis C Antibodies / Q000097:blood; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D012367:RNA, Viral / Q000032:analysis*; D011897:Random Allocation; D012189:Retrospective Studies
D018937:Hepatitis C Antibodies; D012367:RNA, Viral; D001219:Aspartate Aminotransferases; D000410:Alanine Transaminase