Alpha-interferon therapy increases serum beta2-microglobulin levels in hemodialysis patients.
OBJECTIVE
Beta2-microglobulin is the main component of dialysis-associated amyloid. Interferons (IFNs) have the ability to induce an increase in the formation and release of this protein. The aim of this study was to evaluate serum beta2-microglobulin levels in 11 hemodialysis patients with chronic hepatitis C treated with IFNalpha.


METHODS
Eleven hemodialysis patients with chronic hepatitis C that received IFNalpha treatment were included in this study. No patient had residual renal function. High-flux membranes were used in 5 patients, and low-flux membranes in the remaining 6 patients. Beta2-microglobulin was analyzed at baseline, during IFNalpha treatment and after IFNalpha was stopped.


RESULTS
Serum beta2-microglobulin concentration rose in all patients during the IFNalpha therapy. Compared with baseline values (43 mg/l, range 22-59) the median beta2-microglobulin levels increased significantly at one month (65 mg/l, range 37-142, p = 0.008) and at 12 months (59 mg/l, range 42-137, p = 0.003) after the beginning of IFN therapy. One month after IFNalpha was discontinued, beta2-microglobulin decreased significantly (median 48, range 34-75 mg/l, p = 0.05) in comparison with that obtained at the end of the therapy. The increase observed during IFN therapy was lower in patients treated with high-flux membranes than in those with low-flux membranes, although it was not statistically different.


CONCLUSIONS
Our results show that IFNalpha therapy increases serum beta2-microglobulin levels in hemodialysis patients. Further studies are needed to clarify whether the use of high-flux membranes should be recommended in hemodialysis patients requiring IFN treatment.
Espinosa
M
M
Servicio de Nefrologia, Hospital Universitario Reina Sofia, Córdoba, Spain. mespinosah@medynet.com
Martin-Malo
A
A
Alvarez de Lara
M A
MA
Navarro
M D
MD
Aljama
P
P
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000998:Antiviral Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D005260:Female; D019698:Hepatitis C, Chronic / Q000097:blood / Q000188:drug therapy; D006801:Humans; D016898:Interferon-alpha / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D006435:Renal Dialysis; D013997:Time Factors; D001613:beta 2-Microglobulin / Q000097:blood* / Q000187:drug effects*
D000998:Antiviral Agents; D016898:Interferon-alpha; D001613:beta 2-Microglobulin